Onsite
wastewater treatment systems are in wide use throughout
Region 2, in both rural and suburban areas, and continue
to be widely used in new residential construction. Recent
EPA research reveals that, nationally, as many as 25% of
all onsite systems may be failing at any given time due
to improper design or installation, or due to age or lack
of maintenance. These substandard systems can impact ground
and surface water resources and pose risks to drinking water
supplies and to recreational uses of lakes, rivers and streams.
To help address this potentially severe problem, US EPA
has published voluntary
guidelines that states and localities can adopt to improve
the management of these systems.
As an element of the Regional Water Quality Coordination
Program, US EPA Region 2 and Cornell University convened
a symposium for policy and program level officials and leading
practitioners in the field to explore the nature of the
problem and possible solutions within our region. The symposium
addressed the current level of management, barriers to improvement,
and opportunities for managerial and technological innovation.
The new US EPA guidelines served as a central focal point
for our discussions. The symposium addressed the key elements
of the guidelines and the available resources to support
utilization.
The symposium served as a forum for the sharing of information
and perspectives that will aid US EPA in advancing the use
of the guidelines, and will help set a course for the continued
involvement of our partner universities in this important
issue area.
For an in-depth summary of
the water quality issues, work to date, and capabilities
associated with Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Management,
click here.
For a
summary of the Regional Onsite (Decentralized) Wastewater
Treatment Forums (April 13 & 14, 2005): Moving Toward
Successful Decentralized Wastewater Management, click
here.
Partner Links
The
New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program : The
program has been working with the Regional Water Quality Project
to build capacity in Region 2 for on-site wastewater education
and training on siting, design, maintenance, and management
issues. Personnel from the program have visited sites in Puerto
Rico and Virgin Islands and will be participating in regional
training sessions for the land-grant universities and their
partners.
Project lead:
Donna Somboonlakana
US EPA Region 2
290 Broadway, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10007-1866
212 637-3700
somboonlakana.donna@epa.gov
