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septicsmart
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
CASE
University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage
Treatment Program
Launched in the 1970s, the Onsite Sewage Treatment
Program is administered by the University of Minnesota's
Water Resources Center within the College of Food,
Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.
The program targets both septic system professionals and
homeowners. Beyond its popular workshops, the program's
biggest outreach tool is the Septic System Owners Guide, a
32-page comprehensive guide to septic systems that covers
everything from what septic systems are to how to properly
maintain them. Available nationwide, the guide has already
sold more than 100,000 copies.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Through a variety of modestly priced training and education
sessions, the program provides certification and continuing
education training for some 2,000 septic system
professionals a year.
Free, two-hour educational workshops are provided for
homeowners. Topics covered include the basics of septic
systems (including what they are and are not) how they
work, proper maintenance, and what should and should not
go down drains and toilets.
The workshops include a field trip with a septic professional
to evaluate and pump a septic tank, which spurs increased
engagement and enables homeowners to discuss best
practices in the field.
Attendees each receive a free
copy of the Septic System
Owners Guide, provided
through Minnesota Clean
Water Legacy grants. Online
resources, such as fact sheets,
are available for homeowners
as well, regardless of
attendance.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The Onsite Sewage Treatment Program seeks to
protect public health and the environment by
improving wastewater treatment through
research-based education and outreach for
homeowners, small communities, professionals
and policy-makers.
Homeowner workshops are designed to inform
participants about the need to properly maintain
their septic systems, from regular pumping to
what's acceptable—and unacceptable—to put
down drains and toilets. Proper maintenance
ultimately leads to cleaner waterways and
groundwater.
County homeowners that attended the workshops are given
a permit discount when applying for new septic system
installation.
PROMOTION
Advertising tactics for the Onsite Sewage Treatment
Program include online advertising, radio ads, and print
materials, including fliers and county-customized brochures.
In addition to paid advertising, program managers regularly
update the program's website and procure press coverage,
such as radio interviews and local newspaper articles with
relevant outreach advertising running alongside news
articles.
www.epa.gov/septicsmart | page 1
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University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
Workshop participants evaluate a septic system for sludge.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Program funding continues to be challenge and, because of
this, workshop frequency as well as staff count have
decreased over the years.
Onsite Sewage Treatment Program management
recommends that organizations seeking to launch similar
programs first get to know their audiences, then plan the
curriculum according to their needs and questions.
Providing permit discounts helped overcome the challenge
of homeowners who did not want to attend workshops.
Program managers also recommend teaming with industry
partners—including regulators at the state and local level,
septic professionals in the field, property owners, and state
and out-of-state colleges and universities—which both
bolsters and expands education efforts.
PARTNERSHIPS
Since septic system requirements differ statewide,
partnerships have become an important element of the
outreach initiative. As such, partnerships have been
established with local counties, including Rice, Chisago, and
Douglas counties. These local partners help identify area-
specific issues that should be covered in workshops.
In addition, partnering with the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency aided in education efforts because, "having those
who write the rules and enforcement on a state-wide level
reaffirms to participants that the training is accurate."
RESULTS
Area water quality has improved since launching the education program, and workshops have proven that "people who own
septic systems are hungry for information on how to best take care of them," with participants reporting a plethora of
misinformation about septic systems circulating amongst homeowners from various sources.
Visit http://septic.umn.edu/index.htm for additional information on the program's workshops and resources.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROGRAM:
Please contact Sarah Heger, at: (612) 625-7243 or sheger@umn.edu.
ONSITE SEWAGE
TREATMENT PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Driven to Discover
www.epa.gov/septicsmart
EPA-832-F-12-036 I November 2012
v>EPA
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