Decentralized wastewater systems serve approximately 20% of U.S. homes. Although these onsite septic systems can provide an effective means to treat wastewater, for many homeowners the systems are substandard, malfunctioning or noncompliant.In many cases, inadequate and malfunctioning wastewater infrastructure disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities — they often lack the financial resources to tackle these challenges and contend with potential health risks to families. Across the country, malfunctioning decentralized wastewater infrastructure is making the news. Recent articles from Alabama, Alaska, North Carolina, New Mexico and Massachusetts point to the need for more funding to support building, repairing or
