Developing Sustainable Decentralized Wastewater Systems

Rural, suburban and urban communities across the United States are wrestling with increasingly complex wastewater management issues in the face of funding limitations for system upkeep and new infrastructure, environmental degradation and water resource limitations, and increasing energy costs. Aging septic systems and new development in exurban areas often present acute challenges, prompting these communities to seek public sewer extensions for wastewater management. However, because of the high upfront, recurring and secondary costs of large, public sewer systems, many private and public entities are taking a fresh look at decentralized, soil dispersing wastewater treatment systems. Communities are finding new and innovative ways to manage decentralized systems in a way that saves money and improves environmental and social conditions in their service areas. This live audio conference will provide an overview of the essential elements of sustainable decentralized wastewater management systems, including everything from the nuts-and-bolts basics of proper design to emerging applications for decentralized water reclamation and reuse systems in urban and suburban areas, using real world case studies to illustrate key points in a way that is relevant to participants.

Learning Objectives:

• You will be able to describe system design fundamentals.
• You will be able to discuss types of distributed/decentralized system management programs.
• You will be able to identify sustainability drivers for and benefits of distributed/decentralized systems.
• You will be able to describe the steps involved in planning and implementing a decentralized system.