Seminar tracks presented by the National Environmental Health Association, the National Association of Wastewater Transporters Inc., and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association highlight the education lineup at the 2010 Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Feb. 24-27 in Louisville, Ky.

The seminars are part of Education Day on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The complete program includes 45 seminars presented by experts across the full range of environmental service industries. Seminars also are offered on Thursday and Friday mornings.

A summary of the pumping industry-focused seminar tracks follows. For a complete seminar schedule, see the Expo pages in this issue of Pumper.

National Environmental Health Association program:

Decentralized Systems — The Next Wave in Our Industry: Kevin Sherman, P.E., Ph.D., WRE, engineering director, Quanics Inc.

Decentralized systems are becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. and Canada. Sherman will explain how they work and how to capitalize on the next wave to sweep the industry.

Septic Tanks: A Gift That Keeps on Giving: Matthew Byers, Ph.D., onsite program manager, Zoeller Pump Co.

Septic tanks are the unsung heroes of the onsite world. When properly installed, they provide consistent primary treatment. Their effluent filters enhance treatment, stimulate needed maintenance, and alert homeowners to septic tank issues. Without maintenance, systems can fail, resulting in costly drainfield replacement. Byers will cover septic tank processes, use of filters, maintenance procedures, and suggestions for homeowner education.

Selling CIOWTS Certification to Installers and Regulators: Getting Everyone on Board!: Doug Bird, director, Bremer County (Iowa) Environmental Health Department

Bird will talk about his experience and the lessons he learned while persuading installers and regulators to accept CIOWTS certification in Iowa.

Softeners and Onsite Systems: Matthew Byers, Ph.D., onsite program manager, Zoeller Pump Co.

The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association and Water Quality Association are seeking to understand the interaction of softener regeneration water and onsite systems, identifying problems and solving them. Byers will give a brief history of the debate, the results of a symposium on the issue, and introduce a guidance document agreed upon by NOWRA and WQA.

Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems: This is What They are and This is What They do: Kevin Sherman, P.E., Ph.D., WRE, engineering director, Quanics Inc.

Advanced wastewater treatment systems use many of the same treatment steps found in the more familiar septic tank-soil absorption systems — they just do them differently. Attendees will learn the treatment concepts used in single pass and recirculating attached growth, suspended growth, and hybrid-advanced wastewater treatment systems.

Maximize Efficiency by Working Closely with Regulators and Within the Regulatory System:

Brian Scheffe, Ph.D., Front Range Precast Concrete

Members of the onsite wastewater treatment industry understand the importance of regulatory compliance. A poor understanding of regulations or an unfamiliar regulator can cause time-consuming and costly changes to a design or installation. By maintaining a working relationship with regulators, onsite professionals can often avoid problems in the field, and maybe have a say in future regulatory changes. Attendees will learn how to create a plan for smoother permitting and inspections, and produce a better system for the consumer.

NOWRA program:

The NOWRA Education Day seminars are presented by Sara Heger Christopherson, onsite sewage treatment program extension specialist at the University of Minnesota, and Tom Fritts, vice president-owner of Residential Sewage Treatment Co.

• Wastewater Characteristics – Christopherson

• Soils and Site Evaluation Overview – Fritts

• Septic Tank Overview: Function, Design, Construction, Inspection and Troubleshooting – Christopherson

• Aerobic Treatment Units – Fritts

• Media Filters – Christopherson

• Pumps and Controls – Fritts

NAWT program:

• Sampling Protocols and Methods for Alternative Technologies – Matt Lee, general manager, AquaTest Inc.

• Dealing with Restaurant or High-Strength Waste – Bill Stuth, founder, Aqua Test Inc.

• O & M for ATUs – David “Kit” Rosefield, president, Onsite Wastewater Management Inc.

• O & M for Drip Irrigation – Dave Gustafson, P.E., onsite sewage treatment systems assistant extension engineer, University of Minnesota

• What to Expect When the EPA Comes A-Callin’ – Tom Blankenship, owner, All Town & Country Septic Tank Service

• A Template for Keeping Your Employees Trained – Jim Mathis, Kline’s Services

Other seminars

The Thursday and Friday programs include these additional seminars of special interest to pumpers, onsite installers, soil testers, inspectors, design engineers, and maintenance service providers.

Thursday, Feb. 25

• COLE Publishing’s Onsite Installer Course – Jim Anderson, Ph.D., professor in the department of soil, water and climate at the University of Minnesota, and Dave Gustafson, P.E., trainer, Minnesota licensing program

• Risk Assessment for Determining SVC Frequency – Colin Bishop, government relations and business development department head, Bord na Mona

• From Theory to Reality – Roger Lacasse, P.E., scientific and technical director, Premier Tech Environment

• Timed Dosing and Controls – Mark Gross, Ph.D., P.E., training manager, Orenco Systems Inc.

• Understanding the Biology and Function of an ATU – Doug Dent, international speaker on biotechnologies and biological wastewater process enhancement

Friday, Feb. 26

• Dewatering Alternatives – Kelly Brown, director of sales and marketing, BDP Industries

• Convert a Liability to an Asset – Emily Landsburg, CEO, Black Gold Biofuels

• The Role of Bacteria and Bioaugmentation in Grease Traps and Septic Systems – Clarence Baugh, Ph.D., research and applied technology director, Custom Biologicals Inc.

• Safety in Excavation – Gary Hooks, Safety Corporation of America

• Comprehensive Control Panel Training – Joe Zimmerman and Scott Rietsema, regional sales managers, SJE Rhombus

• Onsite Wastewater Effluent Disinfection – Jim Cruver, Ph.D., president, Salcor Inc.

• OSHA Procedures Regarding Confined Space – Chris Cira, president, MTech Company

To find out more about the education program or any other Expo offering, visit www.pumpershow.com. Register online or by calling 800/257-7222.