Wastewater Regulations
Understanding wastewater compliance is essential for professionals working in onsite and decentralized wastewater systems. Regulations can vary widely from state to state, covering everything from system design and permitting to installation, operation, and ongoing maintenance requirements. This resource hub brings together key state regulations, guidance documents, and regulatory contacts to help industry professionals stay informed and ensure their systems meet current wastewater compliance standards.
NOWRA
- A Homeowner's Onsite System Guide and Record Keeping Folder (PDF) (Coming Soon)
- Order copies for the homeowners you work with (PDF)
- NOWRA-Water Quality Association Joint Guidance Document on Water Softeners (PDF)
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF)
- Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems - A "how-to guide" for implementing EPA's Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems.
- It's Your Choice: A Guidebook for Local Officials on Small Community Wastewater Management Options (PDF)
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual (PDF)
- Design Manual: Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems (PDF)
- Tribal Management of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
- When Is a Septic System Regulated as a Class V Well? (PDF)
- Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Program Strategy (PDF)
- The Wastewater Information Systems Tool (TWIST)
- Advanced Onsite Technology Products Approved by State
- Handbook for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems
National Environmental Services Center (NESC)
- Assessment of U.S. Onsite System Installations, 2015 through 2018
- Basic Water and Wastewater Formulas (PDF)
Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
- Influent Constituent Characteristics of the Modern Waste Stream from Single Sources
- State of the Science: Review of Quantitative Tools to Determine Wastewater Soil Treatment Unit Performance
- Factors Affecting the Performance of Primary Treatment in Decentralized Wastewater Systems
- Micro-Scale Evaluation of Phosphorus Management: Alternative Wastewater Systems Evaluation
- Update of the Advanced On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Management Market Study
- A Status of Tools and Support for Community Decentralized Wastewater Solutions
- Variability and Reliability of Test Center and Field Data: Definition of Proven Technology From a Regulatory Viewpoint
- Guidance for Establishing Successful Responsible Management Entities
- Integrated Risk Assessment for Individual Onsite Wastewater Systems
- Onsite Wastewater Regulator Outreach and Coordination Project
- Onsite Sewage Treatment in California and the Progression Toward Statewide Standards
- Model Decentralized Wastewater Practitioner Curriculum
State Onsite Regulators Alliance (SORA)
- SORA offers a variety of data which compiles responses to surveys conducted via SORA's member listserve. Below are some of the items for which they have data
- States that requires CEU's for installer licensure 2020 (Excel)
- Residential flow est. by state 2020 (Excel)
- Soil Survey vs. Site Evaluation (Excel)
- Transfer of Title Programs (Excel)
- Transfer of Title O&M Reqs. and Guidance (Excel)
- Tiny Homes Gallon Per Day (PDF)
- State by State Design Flow (Excel )
- Max Daily Flow Allowed Under State Regulation (PDF)
- Medical Marijuana Wastewater (PDF )
- Length of gravity trenches by state (PDF)
- Large Systems (PDF)
- Cost of soil evaluation (PDF )
- Decentralized/Onsite Wastewater Projects and Programs (PDF)
Water Quality Research Foundation
- Changes in Septic Tank Effluent Due to Water Softener Use (Report) (PDF)
- NOWRA statement to SORA regarding official position on WQRF report