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Guidance, Manuals and Policies

EPA has developed several documents outlining its mission, priorities and regulatory authorities as well as guidance and technical information to help communities establish comprehensive septic (onsite) management programs.

Guidance

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Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF 62 pp, 1,263KB) - Guide that helps communities establish comprehensive management programs to ensure that all septic systems function properly. Proper management of decentralized systems involves implementating of a comprehensive group of elements and activities, such as public education and participation, planning, operation and maintenance, and financial assistance and funding (EPA 832-B-03-001). Published: 2003

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. The guide describes a step-by-step approach for the development of a community management program for decentralized wastewater systems. It includes specific community examples, gives an overview of the elements essential for sound management of these systems, and provides links to extensive resources.

  
It's Your Choice: A Guidebook for Local Officials on Small Community Wastewater Management Options (PDF 83 pp, 31MB) - Booklet that describes wastewater management systems for communities serving populations fewer than 10,000 people. Presents options to help address small communities' existing and future wastewater treatment needs and will help educate community officials and other decision makers (EPA 430-9-87-006). Published: 1987

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas (PDF 518 pp, 5.4MB) - Provides guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes and the public regarding management measures that can be used to reduce nonpoint source pollution from urban activities (EPA-841-B-05-004). Published: 2005

Tribal Management of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF 4 pp, 503KB) - The document is intended to help tribal nations determine what level of management or tribal regulation will work best to ensure that onsite wastewater treatment systems do not affect public health and protect the environment. (EPA 909-F-04-007) Published: 2004

A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule - 40 CFR Part 503 establishes requirements for the final use or disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids) and domestic septage. The 503 regulations set minimum requirements for land application of domestic septage that all states must meet. This guidance document is a helpful tool in the interpretation and implementation of the rule (EPA 832-R-93-003). Published: 1994

  
Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters - This guidance specifying management measures for sources of nonpoint pollution in coastal waters is required under section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA). It provides guidance to states and territories on the types of management measures that should be included in state and territorial Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs.

  
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Guidance Manual - This manual provides valuable guidance 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 (EPA Cooperative Agreement X-82907801-0).

  
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Manuals

You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual (PDF 367 pp, 20.9MB) - This manual was developed to provide supplemental and new information for wastewater treatment professionals in the public and private sectors. It is not intended to replace the previous manual but to further explore and discuss recent developments in treatment technologies, system design and long-term system management. This manual has a more focused approach to onsite wastewater treatment and onsite system management (EPA-625-R-00-008). Published: 2002

Design Manual: Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems (PDF 409 pp, 8.9MB) - This document provides technical information on onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems. It does not contain standards for those systems, nor does it contain pertinent rules or regulations. The intended audience for this manual includes those involved in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and regulation of wastewater systems (EPA 625-1-80-012). Published: 1980

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Policy and Regulations

You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Response to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF 101 pp, 5.8MB) - This report to Congress examines the feasibility of decentralized treatment as a lower-cost option for the many communities with wastewater treatment needs. EPA's report recognizes lack of management as a major barrier to implementing decentralized systems and concludes that "adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost-effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas" (EPA 832-R-97-001b). Published: 1997

Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cooperation (PDF 9 pp, 274 KB) - EPA and eight partner organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to address environmental problems resulting from failures of decentralized wastewater treatment systems when they occur. The agreement formalizes the collaboration between EPA and its partners to help community governments improve their wastewater programs. The agreement focuses on better planning, septic system design, and long-term operation and maintenance of septic systems. Joining EPA in this effort are: Published: 2005

Memorandum of Understanding for EPA’s Decentraized Wastewater Program – A Progress Report (PDF 28 pp, 218KB) - This report discusses the activities that have been supported by the MOU Partnership since the partnership’s creation in 2005. Published: 2007

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Program Strategy (PDF 16 pp, 3.3MB) - This strategy presents EPA's vision, mission, and actions to improve the performance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems, thereby providing better protection of public health and water resources (EPA 832-R-05-002). Published: 2005

When Is a Septic System Regulated as a Class V Well? (PDF 4 pp, 1.5MB) - This is a fact sheet intended to help regulators determine which septic systems should be regulated as Class V wells (EPA 816-F-03-002). Published: 2003

Seepage Pits May Endanger Ground Water Quality [PDF] - In 1999 EPA promulgated regulations prohibiting the use of cesspools for the disposal of sewage from multifamily dwellings and any other buildings where cesspool capacity was for 20 or more persons per day, such as schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities (EPA 909-F-01-001). Published: 2001

  
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