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Onsite Wastewater Education Program
 and
Training Facility

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

June 9-11, 2010: AzOWRA 2009 Educational Conference & Exhibition
Radisson 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff,  AZ  86001; 928-773-8888; Map & Directions

 

SITUATION

About 25 percent of the United States population lives in areas that use onsite wastewater treatment systems. Surface water and groundwater contamination associated with septic systems often stems from failures due to age or improper maintenance; however, even properly functioning systems can cause environmental degradation and pose public health risks. Depending upon soil type, water saturation, and other factors, nutrients and microbial pollutants can migrate long distances down-gradient from properly functioning (but poorly designed) systems and ultimately reach surface water and groundwater. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has identified onsite/septic wastewater treatment facilities as the overwhelming activity/facility contributing to water quality impairment in Arizona -- over 90% of the identified activities! There is a need to educate septic system owners and pumpers who maintain the systems, as well as designers, installers, contractors, regulators, and health officials on the proper siting, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal systems.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In 1998, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension developed the Onsite Wastewater Education (OWE) Program. The OWE Program reaches owners of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal systems, county and state regulators, and the onsite wastewater industry in Arizona. The program has two objectives: 1) To raise septic system owners' awareness of onsite operation and maintenance and 2) To train the Arizona onsite wastewater treatment community. In 2002, the Onsite Wastewater Training Facility was established at the Maricopa Agricultural Center.

Several educational resources have been developed to better educate owners of onsite wastewater systems, as well as the general public:

There are many more educational and training materials available in the Educational Resources section.

 

TRAINING FACILITY

The OWE Program provides classroom and hands-on in-field training, technology transfer, and demonstrations at the Onsite Wastewater Training Facility located at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. This facility will have several above-ground conventional and alternative onsite systems that will operate with clean water to facilitate hands-on training. Currently, there is a complete conventional septic system with a gravity trench and chamber trench installed to grade used for inspection training. Location of Training Site Maricopa Agricultural Center 37860 W. Smith-Enke Road, Maricopa, Arizona.

SAVE THE DATES! Here are the dates and topics for the 2010 training schedule!

Workshop Schedule:  2009 bullet 2008 bullet 2007 bullet 2006 bullet 2005 bullet 2004 bullet 2003 bullet 2002
Date
Title
Location
Registration Information
February 18-19 NAWT Inspection Training & Certification; certification information Holiday Inn Express & Suites;1200 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Florence, AZ 85232; Hotel Info: a block of rooms reserved under the name of “NAWT” for a reduced rate of $89.99 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites; 520/868-9900. Please reserve a room by February 3, 2009.
February 20 NAWT Certified Installer Holiday Inn Express & Suites;1200 Sunrise Plaza Drive, Florence, AZ 85232; Hotel Info: a block of rooms reserved under the name of “NAWT” for a reduced rate of $89.99 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites; 520/868-9900. Please reserve a room by February 3, 2009.
March 3-4 Advanced Soil Treatment Design - NEW CLASS!! Payson Elks Lodge #2154; 1206 N Belline Hwy, Payson, AZ 85547; Map of venue; Nearby hotels
March 5-6 AZ Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems; certification information Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Multipurpose Room; 2500 South 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009; Map of venue; Nearby hotels
April 8-9 Introduction to Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Yavapai County Public Works Ready Room, 1090 Commerce Dr, Prescott, AZ 86305; Map of venue; Nearby hotels
June 16 NAWT Inspection Training & Recertification
(pre-conference workshop to AzOWRA 2009 Educational Conference & Exhibition) 		Radisson Woodlands Inn; 1175 W Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; Block of rooms being held for $119/night, reservation deadline is May 27, 2009. Map & directions.
August 25-26 NAWT Inspection Training & Certification; certification information Holiday Inn Casa Grande; 777 N. Pinal Ave, Casa Grande, AZ 85222; Block of rooms being held under "NAW" for $79/night with breakfast buffet, reservation deadline is August 19. Map & directions.
September 29-30 AZ Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems; certification information

NOTE: NEW LOCATION! Roto-Rooter, 1691 E. Adams, Show Low, AZ 85901. Map; Hotel: Days Inn-Show Low, $70/night (1.69 miles away), 480 W Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, AZ; 928-537-4356; reference "Ryan" and indicate it's for the "UA Soils Class."

November 19-20 Advanced Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems - NEW CLASS!! Maricopa Agricultural Center, 37860 W. Smith-Enke Rd., Maricopa, AZ 85238-3010.

2008

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification:January 28-29; Laughlin, NV
  2. AZ Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: April 7-8; Tucson, AZ
  3. Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: April 9-10; Tucson, AZ
  4. NAWT Inspection Training & Recertification: June 5; Flagstaff, AZ
  5. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: August 26-27; Tucson, AZ
  6. AZ Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: September 23-24; Wickenburg, AZ
  7. NAWT Inspection Training & Recertification: October 14; Casa Grande, AZ -- CANCELLED (low registration)
  8. Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: October 15-16; Casa Grande, AZ -- CANCELLED (low registration)

2007

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: January 18-19; Casa Grande, AZ
  2. Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: May10-11; Payson, AZ
  3. Onsite Installer Certified Professional: June 1; Payson, AZ
  4. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: August 28-29; Phoenix, AZ
  5. Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: October 1-2; Florence, AZ
  6. Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: October 3-4; Payson, AZ
  7. NAWT Inspection & Recertification: November 14; Maricopa, AZ
  8. Onsite Installer Certified Professional: November 15; Maricopa, AZ -- CANCELLED (low registration)

2006

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification (pre-conference training to 2006 Southwest Onsite Wastewater Management Conference): January 30-31; Laughlin, NV
  2. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: May 15-16; Apache Junction, AZ
  3. Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: August 22-23; Prescott, AZ
  4. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: August 24-25; Prescott, AZ
  5. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: September 26-27; Tucson, AZ
  6. Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: September 28-29; Williams, AZ
  7. Soil and Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: November 14-15; Sierra Vista, AZ

2005

  1. Soil and Site Evaluation for the Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: January 21-22; Parker, AZ
  2. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: April 11-12; Tucson, AZ
  3. Introduction to Design of Onsite Wastewater Systems: August 25-26; Casa Grande, AZ --CANCELLED
  4. Soil and Site Evaluation for the Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: November 16-17; Rio Rico, AZ

2004

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: January 30-31, Laughlin, NV
  2. Basics of Soils for Design of Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Dispersal Systems: June 3-4, Cottonwood, AZ
  3. Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: August 24-25, Tucson, AZ
  4. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: October 25-26, Maricopa, AZ

2003

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: May 28-29, Prescott, AZ
  2. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: May 30-31, Maricopa, AZ
  3. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: Nov 13-14 Sierra Vista, AZ

2002

  1. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: March 4-5, Laughlin, NV
  2. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: June 28-29, Flagstaff, AZ
  3. Installing Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: November 13-14, Maricopa, AZ
  4. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification: November 15, Maricopa, AZ

 

Other US Training Centers

 

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Fact Sheets & Publications

  1. Antibacterial Products in Septic Systems (2001) (2 pp.) (PDF) 55 kb
  2. Arizona WET - Water Education for Teachers (1995) (320 pp.)$25.00 (More Information) Available for sale online
  3. Farm*A*Syst: Farm/Ranch Self-Assessment System for Arizona (1997) (110 pp.) $5.00 Available for sale online
  4. How Chemicals Move Through Soil (with affiliated guide) (1998) (VHS 27 minutes) $25.00 Available for sale online
  5. How Water Moves Through Soil (with affiliated guide) (1994) (VHS 30 minutes), $25.00 Available for sale online
  6. Inspecting Your Household Septic System (2000) (3 pp.) (PDF) 24 kb
  7. Maintaining Your Septic Tank (2000) (2 pp.) (PDF) 76 kb
  8. Managing Your Household Septic System (2000) (3 pp.) (PDF) 28 kb
  9. Mound Systems: Alternative On-site Wastewater Treatment (1998) (2 pp.) (PDF) 52 kb
  10. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Education Resources for Educating Clientele (2005) (8 pp.) (PDF)
  11. Operation and Maintenance Tips for Your Septic System (2000) (2 pp.) (PDF) 23 kb
  12. RV Holding-tank Treatments & Deodorizers in Septic Systems (2001) (2 pp.) (PDF) 29 kb
  13. Septic System Owner's Guide (2001) (44 pp.) $8.50 Available for sale online
  14. Treatment of Household Wastewater, AZ Farm*A*Syst series (1998) (2 pp.) (PDF) 31 kb
  15. Understanding Your Household Septic System (2000) (2 pp.) (PDF) 295 kb (HTML)

 

Conference & Research Papers

  1. Performance-Based Regulation for Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Facilities: General Concepts and the State of Arizona Framework, Edwin Swanson, ADEQ, Presented at the NOWRA 10th Annual Conference and Exhibit, October 2001, Virginia Beach, VA. [PDF]

 

PowerPoint Presentations

  1. Septic System Operation & Maintenance for Manufactured Home and Recreational Vehicle Park Facilities [PDF]

 

Videos & DVDs

  1. Alternative Septic Systems
    • Video and fact sheets highlighting three Twin Cities metro area installations using re-circulating sand filters and drip irrigation on difficult sites including shallow bedrock, high groundwater, and a steep slope. EP-07572-GO; $14.00.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 612-624-4900, 1-800-876-8636, or http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/dc/
  2. The Care and Feeding of Your Septic Tank
    • Department of Environmental Resources, 16 minutes, 1995, V9112.
    • To borrow a video, call the WREN Resource Center at 1-800-692-7281, or e-mail at lwvpa@epix.net.
  3. Choosing an Alternative Septic System
    • Video highlighting three Twin Cities metro area installations using re-circulating sand filters and drip irrigation on difficult sites including shallow bedrock, high groundwater, and a steep slope. VH-07024; $13.00.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 612-624-4900, 1-800-876-8636, or http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/dc/
  4. Inspecting Existing Septic Systems During Home Sales
    • Demonstrates the equipment, procedures and knowledge necessary to conduct proper inspection of septic systems.
    • Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, 39 minutes, 1991, V9410. To borrow a video, call the WREN Resource Center at 1-800-692-7281, or at e-mail lwvpa@epix.net.
  5. Landscaping Your Drainfield
    • This modest 16-minute video talks about why a homeowner with a septic system needs to be careful about landscaping over the drainfield...and exactly what kind of plants are recommended for this use. The plants shown are best suited to the Puget Sound lowland area.
    • Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Clallam County, WA, 360-417-2414
  6. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems: Constructed Wetlands
    • This video covers the use of constructed wetland technology for home wastewater treatment systems. SP-70; $15.00.
    • Texas Cooperative Extension, (888) 900-2577, or http://tcebookstore.org/index.cfm >> Home >> Waste
  7. Overview of Septic Systems
    • This 28-minute video available in both VHS and DVD format describes the technologies available for managing residential wastewater. It can help homeowners choose the type of system they need. SP-132; $15.00.
    • Texas Cooperative Extension, (888) 900-2577, or http://tcebookstore.org/index.cfm >> Home>>Waste
  8. Professional On-site Sewage System Maintenance
  9. Septic Evaluation
  10. Septic System Maintenance
  11. Septic Systems Revealed: Guide to Operation, Care, and Maintenance
    • A 23-minute video showing how an actual septic system works and demonstrates proper pumping methods. Includes tips on household water conservation and product use. VH-06768-GO; $15.00 (or as EP-06769-GO in combination with the Owner's Guide $ 18.00); Revised 1999.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 612-624-4900, 1-800-876-8636, or http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/dc/
  12. Understanding and Maintaining Alternative On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems
    1. A video for Pressure Distribution, Sand Filter and Mound systems.
    2. Eastgate Public Health Center, WA, http://www.metrokc.gov/health/wastewater/operating.htm
  13. Water Conservation B Managing Our Precious Liquid Asset
    • A 21-minute video offering many ways to reduce water use to the benefit of the septic system without impacting family comfort and quality of life. VH-06948-GO; $15.00.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 612-624-4900, 1-800-876-8636, or http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/dc/
  14. What to Expect from Your Home Inspection
  15. The Why, When, & How of Septic System Care and Maintenance
  16. Your Septic System: A Guide for Homeowners
    • Uses husband-wife story as method of explaining how to operate and maintain a septic system; good do's and don't section. 11 minutes.
    • National Small Flows Clearinghouse, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506-6064, 800-624-8301, http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_index.htm

 

Physical Models

Conventional System: Septic Tank with Soil Absorption Field photo of plexiglass 2-compartment septic tank with trench drainfield.
  • Plexiglas working model with two trenches that can demonstrate the infiltration and percolation abilities of two different soil types.
  • University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Contact Kitt Farrell-Poe, kittfp@ag.arizona.edu, 928-782-3836.

 

Curriculum

  1. Practioners Training Curriculum Development Project - The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
    1. This project will develop a consistent technical educational base to launch nationwide training efforts. The materials produced are easily modifiable electronically to address specific local rule requirements and are presented as a series of short courses
    2. Each module contains:
      1. educational objectives (needs-to-know)
      2. resource needs, and
      3. detailed agendas.
    3. Currently, there are five modules:
      1. Model National Curriculum Development
      2. Septic Tanks
      3. Soil and Site Evaluation
      4. Technology Overview
      5. Water Movement and Treatment in Soils
    4. http://www.onsiteconsortium.org/training/activities.cfm
  2. Academic Curriculum Development Project - The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment.
    1. This project is developing course curriculum with appropriate modules for teaching a one-semester laboratory and field course in on-site and decentralized water and wastewater treatment and natural systems for water reclamation.
    2. The modules include:
      1. Fundamental Concepts for Environmental Processes
      2. Site Evaluation
      3. Wastewater Characteristics
      4. Onsite Nitrogen Removal
      5. Septic Tanks
      6. Media Filters
      7. Constructed Wetlands, Constructed Wetlands: Alternative Design Approaches
      8. Aerobic Treatment Units
      9. Soil Treatment Systems
      10. Disinfection
      11. Distribution and Dispersal Systems (Effluent Conveyance, Drip Distribution, Spray Distribution, Water Reuse Systems)
      12. Hydraulics and Controls (Hydraulics, Instrumentation and Controls), and
      13. Biosolids
    3. http://www.onsiteconsortium.org/curriculum/activities.cfm
    4. septic tank review:
  3. Septic Education Kit - Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
    1. This kit serves as a toolbox that contains everything an educator needs to set up and publicize a septic education program. Cost $99.
    2. Included:
      1. series of customizable fact sheets
      2. a slide presentation
      3. comprehensive workshop outlines
      4. publicity photos
      5. marketing ideas
      6. tips on how to partner with other agencies
      7. article templates for quick submission to local newspapers, a poster, radio announcement scripts, and sample newspaper ads and flyer.
    3. Contact National Small Flows Clearinghouse, 800-553-6847, or through email at orders@ntis.fedworld.gov

 

Miscellaneous Education/Training Aids

  • Magnets
    • Refrigerator magnets in both English and Spanish indicating what materials when flushed down the toilet are either cloggers or killers of septic tanks. $1.00 (SP-133).
    • Available through Texas Cooperative Extension, Extension Distribution and Supply, 979-845-6573.
  • Training Center Signs
    • All signs are 24" X 24" and made of 1/8" aluminum. The signs have a polished white background with screen printed graphics and text. Signs include:
      • aerobic treatment
      • chamber system
      • constructed wetlands
      • conventional land application
      • conventional septic tank system
      • evapotranspiration bed system
      • gravelless pipe system
      • low-pressure dosing system
      • mound system
      • recirculating media filter system
      • single-pass sand filter system
      • spray dispersal system
      • STEP/STEG system
      • subsurface drip dispersal system
    • For more information about signs or to place an order please contact:
      Bruce Lesikar
      b-lesikar@tamu.edu
      http://ossf.tamu.edu/training_center_signs.htm
  • Comic Book

 

Glossary of Terms

The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT) has assembled an extensive glossary of terms to standardize the language of the onsite wastewater industry. The Final Report on the Glossary Project is complete and the Glossary is posted at their website:
http://www.onsiteconsortium.org/files/GlossaryFinal_12-19-07.pdf

 

RULES, FORMS, & OTHER AIDS FOR PRACTITIONERS

  1. Current Arizona Administrative Code Aquifer Protection Permits: http://www.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_18/18-09.pdf
    The following pages pertain to onsite wastewater treatment systems:
    1. 26-45 (R18-9-A308 through R18-9-A317),
    2. 66-90 (R18-9-E302 through R18-9-E323).
  2. State Summary For Arizona Contractors about Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (15 pages) [PDF file]
  3. Notice of Intent to Discharge for a Conventional Septic Tank and Disposal Works (3 pages) [PDF file]
  4. List of Materials, Components, & Equipment for a Conventional Septic System (2 pages) [PDF file]

INSPECTION MATERIALS

  1. ADEQ Transfer of Property Inspection Information & Forms:
    1. List of Inspectors Eligible to conduct Transfer of Property Inspections [PDF]
    2. Report of Inspection Form:
      http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/download/investigation.pdf
    3. Notice of Transfer Form:
      http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/download/presale.doc
  2. NAWT Inspection Training & Certification Workshop Participant List [PDF file]. Please note that participants on this list may or may not also be certified NAWT inspectors. The NAWT exam is optional. To determine if the person in question is a NAWT certified inspector, go to the NAWT web site: http://www.nawt.org/
  3. Sources of onsite wastewater treatment equipment and supplies to conduct inspections and soil and site evaluations: [PDF file]
  4. Arizona realtor association publication article about the Transfer Inspection go to :
    http://www.aaronline.com/News/ARDOnline/ARD_May2006.pdf

SOIL AND SITE EVALUATION MATERIALS

  1. ADEQ
    1. Notice of Intent to Discharge for an Onsite System - Type 4.02 through 4.23 general permit [Word file] [PDF file]
    2. Uniform State of Arizona Site Investigation Report form [PDF file]
    3. Request for approval of alternative feature form, A312(G) [PDF]
    4. Courses approved by ADEQ to meet R18-9-A310(H)(4)
      1. UA Soil & Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 (see also workshop participant list)
      2. Dr. Jerry Tyler & Coconino County: summer 2005
      3. Arizona County Departments of Environmental Health Services Association (ACDEHSA): February 2006
  2. Participant List for UA Soil & Site Evaluation for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Workshops, 2004-2007 [PDF file]
  3. Arizona Blue Stake http://www.azbsinc.com/
  4. USDA-NRCS Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils, Version 2.0, September 2002 ($24) http://soils.usda.gov/technical/fieldbook/
  5. Arizona Soils, by David M. Hendricks. Tucson, Ariz.: College of Agriculture, University of Arizona, 1985. This electronic copy was produced in February 2002 in part with grant funds provided by the Library Services and Technology Act. http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/azso/
  6. Fixture Count Calculation Chart [PDF file, RTF file]
  7. Sources of onsite wastewater treatment equipment and supplies to conduct inspections and soil and site evaluations: [PDF file]

 

WEBSITES

Useful Websites for Arizona

 

Other Useful Onsite Wastewater Treatment Websites

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kitt Farrell-Poe, Ph.D.
University of Arizona
Yuma Agricultural Center
6425 W. 8th Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
(office) 928-782-3836
(fax) 928-782-1940
kittfp@ag.arizona.edu

Website is maintained by: Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe
Site last updated: 12-Nov-2009

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