United States Office of Water (4204) EPA-832-F-00-012
Environmental Protection July 2000
Agency
^5Jf tHr\ EPA Guidelines for Management of Onsite/Decentralized
Wastewater Systems
Why are the Guidelines needed?
The performance of onsite and other decentralized wastewater systems is a national
issue of great concern. Nationally, states have reported in their 1998 lists of polluted
waters that designated uses are not being met for 5,281 waterbodies because of
pathogens and that 4,773 waterbodies are impaired by nutrients. Onsite systems are
often significant contributors of pathogens and nutrients. Onsite/decentralized
wastewater treatment systems serve approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population and 40
percent of new development. The U.S. Bureau of the Census has indicated that at least 10 percent of onsite systems
have stopped working, and some communities report failure rates as high as 70 percent. State agencies report that these
failing systems are the third most common source of groundwater contamination.
In the 1997 Response to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems, EPA determined that with the
technology now available, adequately managed decentralized systems can protect public health and the environment as
well as provide long-term solutions for the nation's wastewater needs. The report also cited five major barriers to
increasing the use of decentralized wastewater treatment systems, including the lack of adequate management (i.e., site
selection, design, installation, and operation and maintenance).
What are onsite/decentralized systems?
Onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment systems, commonly called "septic systems," treat sewage from homes and
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businesses that are not connected to a centralized wastewater treatment plant. Decentralized treatment systems include
individual onsite septic systems, cluster systems, and alternative wastewater treatment technologies like constructed
wetlands, recirculating sand filters, mound systems, and ozone disinfection systems.
What are the Guidelines?
The GuidelinesforManagement of Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems (Guidelines) are a set of recommended practices
needed to raise the level of performance of onsite/decentralized wastewater systems through improved management
programs. Five separate model programs are presented as a progressive series. Management requirements of wastewater
systems become more rigorous as the system technologies become more complex or as the sensitivity of the
environment increases. Each of the model programs share the common goal of protecting human health and the
environment. Each model approach includes program elements and program activities needed to achieve the
management objectives. The Guidelines address the sensitivity of the environment in the community and the complexity
of the system used. The five model management programs are
1. System inventory and awareness of maintenance needs
2. Management through maintenance contracts
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3. Management through operating permits
4. Utility operation and maintenance
5. Utility ownership and management
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EPA developed the Guidelines to assist communities in establishing comprehensive management programs for onsite/
decentralized wastewater systems to improve water quality and protect public health. The Guidelines also will help
states, tribes, and communities develop, modify, and implement laws and regulations in areas of onsite/decentralized
wastewater system management planning. Each model program includes a set of recommended approaches for planning,
siting, design, performance, installation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of wastewater systems.
Are the Guidelines mandatory?
No. The adoption of the Guidelines is voluntary. EPA recognizes that states, tribes, and local governments need a
flexible framework to tailor their programs to the needs of the community. These Guidelines are not intended to
supersede existing federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations. Due to public health and water quality
concerns, EPA encourages communities to consider the Guidelines as a basis for their onsite/decentralized wastewater
management programs.
Are the Guidelines only for new systems?
No. The Guidelines apply to both existing communities and new areas of development that use onsite/decentralized
wastewater treatment systems. EPA also is updating the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Manual to accompany the
Guidelines. The manual will encourage communities to evaluate their current wastewater management programs to
determine whether they are adequate to meet the established objectives. The Guidelines also can apply to septic systems
of all sizes, including nonresidential, large-capacity systems.
How will the Guidelines support other EPA programs?
The Guidelines will support many EPA programs and initiatives, such as total maximum daily loads (TMDL), source water
protection, underground injection control, watershed protection, and beach and shellfish protection programs, by providing
a management tool to help communities implement adequate programs. In addition, the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System
Manual is being updated to complement the Guidelines.
What are the next steps for EPA?
1. A "Notice of Availability" of the Guidelines in draft form has been submitted to the Federal Register on
October, 10 2000. The draft Guidelines are available on the decentralized web site (www.epa.gov/owm/decen1/
decent.htm) for a 60-day comment period.
2. Conduct meetings on the Guidelines with stakeholders, including state, tribal, and local government agencies
and national organizations.
3. Develop outreach materials to demonstrate not only the need for the Guidelines but also how to implement them.
4. Complete the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Manual.
5. Finalize the Guidelines in the Spring of 2 001.
You can obtain more information on the Guidelines for Management of
Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems by contacting
Joyce Hudson (202-260-1290, hudson.joyce@epa.gov)
or Steve Hogye (202-260-5841, hogye.stephen@epa.gov).
Visit the decentralized web site at www.epa.gov/owm/decent/decent.htm.
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