As a septic services professional, you're already well aware that a cornerstone of your job involves educating homeowners on how to properly care for and maintain their septic systems. However, let's face it — breaking through the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality that many homeowners adopt regarding their septic systems is no small feat.

That's why the Environmental Protection Agency's SepticSmart Week is such a critical initiative. Not only does it offer a dedicated week for septic system awareness, but it provides a treasure trove of educational resources for you
and your customers.

New highlights

This year marks the 11th anniversary of SepticSmart Week, which takes place from Sept. 18-22. That's over a decade of disseminating essential information to help communities nationwide understand how crucial proper septic system care is for both public health and environmental protection.

One update this year is the EPA/Youth Engaged 4 Change SepticSmart Week Creative Challenge. Targeting young people aged 14 to 22, this challenge focuses on envisioning what "septic systems of the future" could look like. The contest encourages participants to submit creative content that depicts a “septic system of the future” with a chance to win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards. The winners will be announced during SepticSmart Week, and you can
find more details here.

A wealth of resources

The program also provides a vast array of SepticSmart education materials designed to educate homeowners, although they are versatile enough for anyone to use. Whether you're a septic service professional or a local government entity, these materials can serve your educational needs:

• SepticSmart Quick Tip Videos
• SepticSmart Quick Tips
• SepticSmart Brochures
• SepticSmart Posters
• SepticSmart Mailers
• SepticSmart for Tribal Communities
• SepticSmart Community Case Studies
• Webinars about Decentralized Wastewater Treatment

Proclaim your support

Also, let's not forget about the SepticSmart Week proclamations. These are an excellent way for your local or state government to officially recognize the importance of SepticSmart Week. Downloadable and editable files are available here for you to offer to your community. 

Final thoughts

SepticSmart Week is an invaluable tool in your educational arsenal. Use this time to re-energize your outreach and engagement efforts. It not only provides you with quality resources to share, but it’s also making strides to engage younger audiences and involve the community in conversations about the future of septic systems.