Tools and Resources
Improving septic (onsite) wastewater management requires all stakeholders to work together
to identify options and solutions. This section provides resources to key
community members - homeowners; state, tribal and local officials, and industry and
service providers.
- Homeowners: Helpful information for homeowners for maintaining their septic (onsite) wastewater treatment systems
- State, Tribal and Local Officials: Offers a wide variety of resources to assist state and local governments in their efforts to improve the management of septic (onsite) wastewater treatment systems
- Industry and Professional Service Providers: Informational resources for developers
homebuilders and professional service providers to promote proper use and management of septic (onsite) system
wastewater treatment technologies.
- Related Programs: Includes a number of initiatives from coastal water to stormwater management
- Glossary: Defines those terms commonly used in the wastewater treatment field
- Questions and Answers: The most frequently asked questions and answers for the septic (onsite) program
Homeowners You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more. Homeowners are very often responsible for maintaining their septic (onsite) wastewater
treatment systems. Proper system maintenance will help keep their system from
malfunctioning and will help to maintain their investment in their home. They can contact
their state or local health department for more information about septic (onsite) wastewater
practices in your community at Where You Live.
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Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems (PDF 19 pp, 1,300KB)
- Booklet that describes how a septic system works and what homeowners can do to help their systems treat wastewater effectively (EPA 832-B-02-005). Published: 2003
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Homeowner Septic System Checklist (PDF 1 pp, 293KB)
- Worksheet that allows homeowners to keep track of septic system inspections and maintenance. This checklist is included in the booklet below or may be used separately (EPA 832-F-03-006). Published: 2003
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Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Homeowner's Guide to Evaluating Service Contracts [PDF] - This guide aims to help homeowners who are seeking services from
maintenance providers of onsite wastewater treatment systems. This includes are definitions
of common terms used in service contracts, types of service contracts available and
factors to consider when choosing a service provider. |
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State, Tribal and Local Officials State and local officials are responsible for regulating septic (onsite) wastewater treatment systems. EPA offers a
wide variety of resources to assist state and local governments in their efforts to manage them.
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| Demonstration Projects - Information on septic (onsite) system technologies and management programs throughout the country |
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| Education and Outreach - Information on promoting public education and awareness |
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| Partners - Links to partners and resources |
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| EPA Contacts - Listing of EPA headquarter's and regional staff |
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| Funding - Links to a variety of funding sources to help develop plans, implement and maintain a managed
septic (onsite) system program |
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| Guidance, Manuals and Policies - Links to documents that address important topics such as
how to start a septic (onsite) system management program, septic system design manuals and regulatory
requirements for large capacity systems |
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| Related EPA Programs - Links to EPA programs related to septic (onsite) systems and their management |
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| Technical Information - Links to fact sheets on alternative technologies, such as recirculating sand filters, high
efficiency toilets, aerobic treatment units and chlorine disinfection and to EPA's Environmental Technology
Verification Program |
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| Training Centers - Links to training centers with classes on onsite sewage systems |
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Industry and Professional Service Providers You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more. Professional service providers are the front line when it comes to siting, designing, servicing, and
maintaining septic (onsite) wastewater systems. This site offers many resources for professionals to promote a
highly trained and competent service industry.
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| The Wastewater Information Systems Tool (TWIST) - This is an off-the-shelf, user-friendly management tool that allows state and local health departments to effectively inventory and manage small wastewater treatment systems in their jurisdictions. It is designed to track information related to homes and facilities served, permits, site evaluations, types of systems, inspections and complaints (EPA 832-E-06-001) Published: 2006. |
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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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Decentralized Approaches to Wastewater Treatment (PDF 26 pp, 892KB)
- This presentation on EPA's programs is designed to encourage and support septic system agement. Published: 2003
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| Training Centers - Links to training centers with classes on onsite sewage systems |
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| Source Water Protection Practices Bulletin: Managing Septic Systems to Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water (PDF - 5 pp, 578KB) This fact sheet discusses ways to prevent septic systems from contaminating sources of drinking water (EPA 816-F-01-021). Published: 2001 |
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Utility Bill Insert (PDF 2 pp, 150KB)
- Colorful 3" x 5" bill insert for use by wastewater and water supply utilities. One side has information for customers that discharge to sanitary sewer systems; the other side is for customers with septic systems (EPA 832-F-03-007). Published: 2003
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Not in My Septic System! Magnet (PDF 1 pp, 54KB)
- Magnet that septic tank pumpers can distribute to customers. Lists items that homeowners should not dump down the drain and provides a reminder of the next service date. If you would like to print your own magnets, see Printing a Publication Using a Professional Printer for more information. Published: 2001
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| Technical Information - Links to fact sheets on alternative technologies, such as recirculating sand filters, high
efficiency toilets, aerobic treatment units and chlorine disinfection and to EPA's Environmental Technology
Verification Program |
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| Demonstration Projects - Information on septic (onsite) system technologies and management programs throughout the country |
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| Guidance, Manuals and Policies - Links to documents that address important topics such as
how to start a septic (onsite) system management program, septic system design manuals and regulatory
requirements for large capacity systems |
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| Education and Outreach - Information on promoting public education and awareness |
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