comprehensive community wastewater management
TRANSCRIPT
Comprehensive Community Wastewater Management
Lorraine JoubertCoastal Institute / Cooperative Extension
University of Rhode Island
2010 Land Grant and Sea Grant National ConferenceFebruary 22, 2010
RI NEMO Nonpoint Education for Municipal OfficialsLorraine Joubert, Program Director
Lisa D. Philo, Communication Specialist [email protected]
Dr. Art Gold, Hydrology Professor and DirectorCooperative Extension Water Quality ProgramUniversity of Rhode Island, Kingston RI
www.uri.edu/ce/wqContacts
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
RI NEMO provides training and technical support to local decision makers in evaluating and managing impacts of land use
on local water resources.
RI NEMO is part of URI’s Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program
Funded by RI HEALTH, RI DOT, RI DEM and EPA
Acknow ledgments
URI New England Onsite Wastewater Training CenterGeorge Loomis, Center Director [email protected] Kalen, Project Manager [email protected]
URI NEMOLisa Philo, Communication Specialist [email protected]
Town of Jamestown RIJustin Jobin, Env. Scientist/ Wastewater Mgr [email protected]
FundingEPA and Town of South Kingstown, RI Block Island and Green Hill Pond Watershed Community Wastewater Demonstration Project
RI HEALTH Office of Drinking Water, Municipal Capacity Outreach
Topics
1. Early challenges
2. Program building blocks
3. Resources and lessons learned
RI south shore coastal ponds and watersheds focus of N research in early 1980s by URI land grant /sea grant scientists.
• Unsewered watersheds.• OWTS major source of N to coastal ponds• Substandard systems & cesspools • 8 houses / acre on shallow wells• Very permeable unconfined aquifers • Groundwater contamination risk• Shellfish closures due to bacteria.
Watershed issues
• Requires large lot or retaining walls $$
• Alters stormwater flow.
• Changes character of lot & neighborhood
• Not an option for tiny lots and wet soils.
Conventional solution - fill systems meet vertical separation and perimeter setbacks
Denitrifying systems used for new construction in coastal buffers…yet adjacent homes likely to have cesspools with no requirement to maintain or replace.
Early concerns about local wastewater management
1. Town capacity to manage – keep it simple
2. Minimize bureaucracy
3. Focus on the most serious problems.
4. Can you trust inspectors?
5. Advanced system function and reliability.
6. Who are you going to
call when it fails?
…and don’t forget Homeowner resistance
Topics
1. Early challenges
2. Program building blocks
3. Resources and lessons learned
1. Needs assessment - technical
2. Wastewater management plan – policy
3. Public Education
4. Financial incentives
5. Inventory and tracking database
Program Elements
Part 1 – Getting started
6. Inspection and repair ordinance.
7. Phase out cesspools.
8. Siting and treatment standards.
9. Evaluate and update program.
Part 2 – Moving ahead
State / local partnership essentialTechnical and Financial support by RIDEM and others:
• Enabling Legislation for Local Management
• Standardized Inspection Procedure
• Technical Review Committee
• Community Grants for wastewater planning.
• Clean Water loans for system repair and upgrade.
• Designer licensing and inspector certification.
• State regulations support use of I/A systems
1. Construct and monitor >50 demo systems.
2. Soils research on site suitability assessment.
3. Training and technical support in program
development.
4. GIS pollution risk assessment.
5. Public education and outreach.
6. Scientist-led citizen water quality monitoring.
7. Ongoing training for licensed professionals and others.
8. Training in use of RI web-accessed tracking database.
URI Cooperative Extension RoleResearch-based training and technical support
So what does a program look like?
• All septic system owners must have their systems regularly inspected and maintained as needed.
• Failing systems must be replaced.
• Inspections phased in by district.
• Hire trained inspector; reports to town.
• Maintenance contracts for advanced systems.
• Cesspools phased out over time.
• Treatment standards by watershed, wetlands and soils.
• Staff manages database, works with service providers and public, enforces, reports progress, etc.
1. Voluntary –education and financial incentives
2. Track maintenance of alternative and large flow systems only.
3. Focus mandatory inspection and maintenance in critical areas.
4. Phaseout cesspools only in critical areas or at property transfer.
5. Treatment standards only within setbacks to wetlands or aquifer / watershed overlay district.
How will we get this all done?
Results
Compliance with inspections 82% - 98%
Percent cesspools and failed systems lower than expected at 5 – 10%.
> $3 million in Clean Water loans secured.
Web-based wastewater information system customized for RI using Carmody database.
Topics
1. Early challenges
2. Program building blocks
3. Resources and lessons learned
Onsite Wastewater Resource Center website
www.uri.edu/ce/wq/RESOURCES/wastewater
Includes:
Guide to the process of setting up a local wastewater management program
Research, educational materials to download
Links to town data and resources
Education and incentives to promote voluntary inspection and maintenance
• Educational materials and methods on website.
• Low interest loans available with DEM-approved wastewater management plan.
“Management Blocks”• Downloadable Letters and
Inspection Notices with Matching Fact sheets and other attachments
• Standardized Inspection Procedures
• Professional Conduct Statement for Private Inspectors
• Sample Timeline for notices to system owners and for mandatory inspections
Sample letters to system owners with factsheets and other information organized for input into RIWIS.
www.uri.edu/ce/wq/RESOURCES/wastewater
Sample factsheets inspection procedures, pumpout, access risers and filters, system care, and local program summary to be included with scheduled notices.
RI coastal communities constructed a practical model of how wastewater can be effectively managed with limited staff and budgets.
Research results and management methods made available in national /regional outreach .
Communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and others using project materials.
Benefits exported
New programs are affordable - $35/ yr supports ½ staff in Jamestown.
More than 3 million in septic system repair loan funds secured through 2006 in state.
RIWIS web accessed database overcame initial hurdle of cost and setup time.
Alternative systems used to support more compact “Smart Growth” development.
Benefits to RI communities
Parting thoughtsTowns with strong programs have:
• Clear motivation to protect local water resources.
• Ongoing public education
• Advocates to keep them on track.
• Use Inspection reports to provide feedback for management.
Enforcement varies with political will and public outreach.
New challenge - Controlling use of alternative systems on marginal sites.
Contacts:Lorraine Joubert Tel: 401-874-2138 [email protected] DeProspo Philo Tel: 401- 874-5687 [email protected] of Rhode Island, Natural Resources Science
Resources at www.uri.edu/ce/wq