DecentralizedWastewater.org

06/01/2026

On behalf of our sister program the Private Well Class: A huge thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and moderated at our teams’ Private Well Conference 2026 in Missoula! We were thrilled at the success of the conference and the opportunity to put on the sixth iteration of the event.

We are already planning and considering new locations for , so keep an eye on our newsletters and social media for word on next year’s event.

Another thing to look out for: This year’s presentations will be posted on our YouTube channel to view in full later this summer. PDFs of the presentation slides will also be made available. In the meantime, if you’re seeking any further information on a presentation, speaker, or topic from this conference, send us an email at [email protected].

Once again, thank you from our whole team, and see you next year!

05/29/2026

Did you know that this coming Monday is Heat Action Day? Heat Action Day is a global initiative sponsored by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and it aims to raise awareness about the health risks associated with extreme heat. Those who spend time working outside in all seasons, like septic professionals, are at particular risk each summer from high heat.

In recognition of this year’s Heat Action Day, we encourage you to take a few minutes to brush up on heat safety. Head to one of our blog posts from last year on seasonal care for septic systems in the summer to find a special section on heat illness prevention in the workplace!

See the post on our blog at the following link: https://decentralizedwastewater.org/seasonal-care-for-septic-systems-in-the-summertime-part-ii/

Helpful Information Seasonal Care for Septic Systems in the Summertime: Part II ByLaura Schultz May 27, 2025June 10, 2025 Find Part 1 of this blog series here! Schedule Needed Maintenance/Inspections During Good Weather We all know that septic tanks need to be regularly cleaned and pumped on a 3-5 y...

05/22/2026

Want some quick info on how groundwater can be affected by septic systems? Check out this 2-page factsheet, one of the documents in our resource library, from the National Environmental Services Center of West Virginia. It covers the basics of groundwater, septic systems, and how to ensure that groundwater isn’t being contaminated by septic system operation.

Find the factsheet at West Virginia University’s website at the following link:
actat.wvu.edu/files/d/8fbf2f74-ccc6-4f69-a92a-f76de2018cd2/groundwater2.pdf

05/20/2026

Check out our latest blog post, where we revisit our Tap Talk episode featuring Dr. Sara Heger, decentralized wastewater expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota! In “A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry,” recorded in early 2025, Dr. Heger gives a comprehensive introduction to progress made, needs, and issues in the septic and decentralized realm over the course of a nearly hour-long conversation with Steve and Jennifer.

Dr. Heger is returning to Tap Talk for TT079, which will be released this week on May 21. Stay tuned!

Head to our blog post through this link: https://decentralizedwastewater.org/tap-talk-a-look-at-progress-and-needs-in-the-decentralized-wastewater-industry/

Helpful Information Tap Talk: A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry ByLaura Schultz May 12, 2026May 14, 2026 Since 2021, the team that runs DecentralizedWastewater.org, PrivateWellClass.org, and WaterOperator.org has also produced a podcast centered on protecting publ...

05/18/2026

Don’t forget to take a few minutes to read the May edition of our “From the Trenches” newsletter! This newsletter has a couple of updates from NOWRA - The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, some final information on our sister program The Private Well Class’s conference this week, the first episode of Tap Talk season 7, guidance from Onsite Installer on turning sustainability into a competitive advantage, learning opportunities, and more.

Find the web archive version of our newsletter at the following link: https://wateroperator.activehosted.com/social/0d0fd7c6e093f7b804fa0150b875b868.402

05/15/2026

Make sure you check out this week’s new Tap Talk episode, the conclusion of our two-part series with Bob Schreiber! In this episode, Bob continues to tell Jennifer and Steve about the development and future of the National Ground Water Monitoring Network. He also discusses his experience overcoming bladder cancer and the work he does to bring awareness to the links between the disease and groundwater contamination.

Listen at the Tap Talk website, linked at the end of this post, or find the show on audio platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and Audible.

🎧: https://www.drinkingwaterpodcast.org/tt077-discussing-the-history-and-impact-of-the-national-ground-water-monitoring-network-part-2/

05/13/2026

Our joint teams’ Private Well Conference 2026 is nearly here! Next week on Tuesday, May 19, our sixth national conference will kick off in Missoula, Montana.

While the programming will certainly be well-focused, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Sara Heger of the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program and NOWRA - The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. Dr. Heger will be giving the presentation “Tools to Educate Property Owners and Professionals on Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems” at 9 am on Thursday, May 21.

The Private Well Class team is excited to continue to explore the nexus between private water wells and residential wastewater treatment at the conference!

Head to the Private Well Class website to find last minute info on the conference and the agenda:
https://privatewellclass.org/conference/

Add an overline text Briefly and concisely explain what you do for your audience. Add a Title Use this space to add a medium length description. Be brief and give enough information to earn a click. Add a Title Use this space to add a medium length description. Be brief and give enough information t...

05/11/2026

This month’s “From the Trenches” newsletter is coming out later this week! If you’re not already on our email list, be sure to sign up for it soon. All you need to do is follow the link below to our website’s “Latest News” page, where you’ll be able to sign up in the sidebar form labeled “Get the Latest News.” From that page, you can also explore our archive of past newsletter editions, and also check out our blog posts! ⬇️

https://decentralizedwastewater.org/latest-news/

Helpful Information Septic Systems and the Water Table ByLaura Schultz March 24, 2026April 9, 2026 Unless your area has the misfortune of being in a drought, odds are, the ground around you is… Read More Septic Systems and the Water Table

05/08/2026

This week’s new Tap Talk episode is the first of a two-part series! For TT076, we welcomed Bob Schreiber, a water resources engineer at CDM Smith and long-time National Ground Water Association member, to the show to discuss the development and importance of the National Ground Water Monitoring Network. Be sure to tune back in next week for Part 2 with Bob!

Listen at the Tap Talk website, linked in this post, or find the show on audio platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and Audible.

🎧: https://www.drinkingwaterpodcast.org/tt076-discussing-the-history-and-impact-of-the-national-ground-water-monitoring-network-part-1/

05/06/2026

Don’t miss your chance to apply for NOWRA - The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association’s 2026 Emerging Professionals Scholarship! The application window is open through May 31, 2026. If you are an early career professional who is either 35 years old or younger, or you’ve had less than five years of experience in the septic field, you’re eligible to receive this scholarship.

Applicants must be pursuing a degree or certification related to wastewater treatment and/or environmental policy & management. Visit NOWRA’s scholarship webpage to see which kinds of programs this covers as well as further details!

Find everything you need to know here at this link: https://www.nowra.org/resources/emerging-professionals-scholarship/