Informational CD on Onsite and Clustered Wastewater Systems
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is pleased to offer this CD of
information about decentralized (onsite and clustered) wastewater treatment systems.
Feel free to reproduce all of these documents and use the graphics in presentations, web
sites, newspaper articles, or your own printed materials. The graphics are provided in
two formats, JPEG and TIFF. The JPEG files are smaller files and can be used in
PowerPoint presentations and on web sites. The TIFF files are larger files and can be
used in printed materials. Please cite “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” on the
graphics used.
This CD contains the following items:
Folder: Decentralized Technology
o Folder: 1980 Design Manual – 1980 EPA Design Manual - intended for
regulators and design engineers, this manual is a “classic” and is still
relevant for the design of conventional septic systems.
o Folder: Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual – 2002 EPA
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual - This is an updated design
manual, and complements the 1980 manual. It includes discussion of new
advanced level treatment technologies.
o File: Ordering Information.pdf – This fact sheet explains how to order
EPA’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual.
o Folder: Onsite Technology Fact Sheets – These are short, concise
summaries of various onsite and cluster system designs, including cost,
performance, and where to find more information.
Folder: Decentralized Management
o Folder: Response to Congress – Response to Congress on Use of
Decentralized Wastewater Systems –EPA’s report to Congress on the
feasibility of decentralized wastewater treatment approaches for
addressing wastewater needs nationally. Includes an analysis of benefits,
potential savings and costs, and barriers to implementation.
o File: Guidelines.pdf – Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of
Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems –
tools and guidance to assist states and communities in developing
management programs based on local needs, resources and relative risks
to human health and water resources. Activities include planning, design,
site evaluation, inspections, monitoring, funding, and other functions.
o Folder: Management Handbook – Handbook for Managing Onsite and
Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems was developed
by EPA to complement Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of
Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems.
The Handbook is an implementation guide containing case studies,
detailed discussions and supplementary material to assist states and
communities in implementing the management guidelines.
o Folder: Funding Information – USEPA State Revolving Fund Fact Sheet
(USEPA SRF.pdf) – Describes how the Clean Water State Revolving
Funds can be used to fund onsite and other decentralized wastewater
treatment systems. Includes examples from several states and where to
find more information.
o Folder: Funding Information – US Department of Agriculture, Rural
Utilities Service funding fact sheet (USDA-RUS Funding Programs.pdf) –
Summarizes how USDA grant and loan programs can be tapped to fund
onsite and decentralized wastewater treatment projects, and where to find
more information.
o Folder: Funding Information/File: Catalog of Federal Funding
Sources Web Site Text.doc – describes a searchable database of financial
assistance sources available to fund a variety of watershed protection
projects.
Folder: Public Education
o Files: Homeowner Guide-Long.pdf, Homeowner Guide-Short.pdf –
Homeowner’s Guide – intended for the homeowner, this EPA brochure
gives relevant information on what a septic system is, how it works, what
are a homeowner’s responsibilities, do’s and don’ts for how to treat the
system, and how to get it serviced. A 20-page booklet version and a onepage tri-fold version are included.
o File: Beast in the Backyard.pdf – Article from State Government News
Magazine of February 2001, entitled, “The Beast in the Backyard.”
Outlines concerns about poorly functioning septic systems, and describes
the need for management of the systems.
o File: Small Flows Quarterly-Article.pdf – Article from Small Flows
Quarterly, Winter, 2001 issue, pages 14-19 and 45, entitled, “Onsite
Treatment Options: Matching the System to the Site.” Gives an overview
of available onsite wastewater technologies and under what site conditions
they can best be applied.
o Folder: TWIST (The Wastewater Information System Tool) – TWIST
is a Microsoft® Access-based data management tool. The TWIST
database was created for local, county, and state health departments or
other agencies that need an adaptable tool for tracking and managing
onsite and clustered wastewater treatment systems.
o Folder: Graphics – Several graphics.
Folder: Presentations
o
File: EPA Decentralized Wastewater Mgmt Guidelines.ppt – EPA’s
Decentralized Wastewater Management Guidelines – summary of the new
Management Guidelines and management models.
o
File: EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual.ppt – EPA’s
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual – Highlights the key
concepts in the new manual.
o
File: Watershed Management & Decentralized Treatment.ppt – A
Watershed Approach to Decentralized Wastewater Management –
discusses the need for a watershed approach to decentralized management.
Folder: Other information
o File: Folder Contact List.doc – Contact list for more information.
o File: List of Publications.doc – List of helpful publications.
o File: Small Communities Brochure.pdf – Wastewater Treatment
Program Serving Small Communities – summary of programs offered by
EPA, Office of Wastewater Management for small communities.
For more information, please visit www.epa.gov/owm/onsite or e-mail
decentralized@epa.gov.