Commercial/Community Wastewater Treatment

• Introduction to Decentralized Wastewater Treatment: A Sensible Solution (PDF) 
   
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Can Be Cost Effective and Economical (PDF) 
   
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Can Be Green and Sustainable (PDF)
   
• Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Can Protect the Environment, Public Health, and Water Quality (PDF)

Manuals and Guidelines

• Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF)  Guide to help communities establish comprehensive management programs to ensure that their decentralized systems function properly. -
• Guidelines Factsheet (PDF)
   
• Presentation: Understanding the Decentralized Management Guidelines (PDF)
   
• Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF) A "how-to" guide for implementing EPA's Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The guide describes a step-by-step approach for the development of a community management program for decentralized wastewater systems. -
   
• Handbook Factsheet (PDF)
   
• It's Your Choice: A Guidebook for Local Officials on Small Community Wastewater Management Options (PDF) Booklet that describes wastewater management systems for communities serving populations fewer than 10,000 people. 
   
• National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas (PDF)
   
• Tribal Management of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF)
   
• A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule 
   
• Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters
   
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Guidance Manual - Guidance manual for Phase II NPDES MS4 communities and others seeking to establish Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) programs and investigate non-storm water entries into storm drainage systems.
   
• Planning for Septic Systems: Use of Online Decentralized Systems in Developing Areas (PDF) -  provides information for homeowners and community officials on the realities of septic systems, the benefits of an onsite wastewater management plan, the steps in developing a plan, and resources for more information.
• Decentralized Background and Technology (PDF) (29 pp, 713K, About PDF) - This presentation talks about the pros and cons of centralized sewers and septic systems. It also discusses different septic system technologies.

The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) -  is a "first-stop shop" providing environmental management, planning, funding, and regulatory information for local government elected and appointed officials, managers, and staff.
 

Case Studies and Demonstration Projects

Decentralized Background and Technology (PDF)  - This presentation talks about the pros and cons of centralized sewers and septic systems. It also discusses different septic system technologies.

Wastewater in Small Communities - Grants & Funding

Nonpoint Source Program (Section 319 Program) - Provides grants to States, territories, and Indian tribes to support a wide variety of activities (including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects, and monitoring) to encourage State and local efforts to reduce non-point source pollution.

EPA's Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual - A manual for wastewater treatment professionals that discusses recent developments in treatment technologies, design and long-term management of onsite wastewater treatment systems.

Large-Capacity Septic Systems

Wastewater in Small Communities - Technical Assistance & Training

Wastewater in Small Communities - Tools

NESC (National Environmental Services Center)

Protecting Your Community's Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems (pdf) - This guide helps utility managers, operators, and local officials improve security and plan for emergency situations affecting wastewater treatment systems. The guide is designed for those who work with systems serving less than 10,000 people, although it may also be of use to those who work in larger systems. -
     Part 1 - http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/TRAIN/products/assets_1.pdf  
     Part 2 - http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/TRAIN/products/assets_2.pdf  
     Part 3 - http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/TRAIN/products/assets_3.pdf

Septic Systems: A Practical Alternative for Small Communities (pdf)- Pipeline newsletter, Summer 2004 - When properly designed, installed, and maintained, septic systems can be the most cost-effective and efficient method of wastewater treatment a homeowner can choose. - A Guide to Asset Management for Small Water Systems This 30-page booklet provides a brief overview of asset management for small water and wastewater systems and lists recommended resources for implementing such a program.

Why and How to Educate the Homeowner about Septic Systems
Septic Systems: A Practical Alternative for Small Communities 

Self-Assessment Tool for Small Community Decision Makers (pdf) - Designed to be use by decision makers in small communities, is structured to identify areas where improvements can be made in the management of environmental services. This material may be reproduced with permission from the NESC.

Regulations Affecting Small Systems(pdf) - For techical assistance providers and small community personnel, these tales present an overview of recent anticipated federal regualtion actions summarized in 2005.


WERF (Water Environment Research Foundation)

• Performance and Costs for Decentralized Unit Processes
   
• Modeling Onsite Wastewater Systems at the Watershed Scale: A User’s Guide
   
• When to Consider Distributed Systems in an Urban and Suburban Context
   
• Guidance for Establishing Successful Responsible Management Entities
   
• Analysis of Existing Community-Sized Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems
   
• Guidance for Evaluation of Potential Groundwater Mounding Associated with Cluster and High-Density Wastewater Soil Absorption System
   
• Integration: A New Framework and Strategy for Water Management in Cities and Towns
   
• Sustainable Water Resources Management Volume 1: Executive Summary
   
• Sustainable Water Resources Management Volume 2: Green Building Case Studies
   
• Sustainable Water Resources Management Volume 3: Case Studies on New Water Paradigm
   
• Decentralized Wastewater System Reliability Analysis Handbook
   
• New Approaches in Decentralized Water Infrastructure
   
• Wastewater Planning Handbook: Mapping Onsite Treatment Needs, Pollution Risks, and Management Options Using GIS
   
• Methods for Comparison of Wastewater Treatment Options
   
• Application of a Risk-Based Approach to Community Wastewater Management: Tisbury, Massachusetts
   
• Overcoming Barriers to Evaluation and Use of Decentralized Wastewater Technologies and Management
   
• Quantifying Site-Scale Processes and Watershed-Scale Cumulative Effects of Decentralized Wastewater Systems
   
• Creative Community Design and Wastewater Management
   
• A Status of Tools and Support for Community Decentralized Wastewater Solutions
   
• Smart, Clean, and Green: 21st Century Sustainable Water Infrastructure
   
• Expanding Communication in Communities Addressing Wastewater Needs
   
• Cluster Wastewater Systems Planning Handbook

RCAP (Rural Community Assistance Partnership)
RCAP Publications for Small Communities
U.S. Infrastructure Finance Needs for Water and Wastewater

Videos:
New guide on setting rates for small utilities
New guide on the basics of financial management for small water utilities

High Strength Wastewater