A series of free workshops on proper septic system installation and management techniques will be held throughout the state in early November. The workshops are intended to provide participants with sufficient technical knowledge and understanding of on-site wastewater treatment technologies
A series of free workshops on proper septic system installation and management techniques will be held throughout the state in early November. The workshops are intended to provide participants with sufficient technical knowledge and understanding of on-site wastewater treatment technologies to ensure proper selection, siting, design, installation, operation, maintenance and management of individual wastewater systems in Hawai‘i, according to an EPA press release.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawai‘i Department of Health are offering this training for installers and designers of individual on-site wastewater treatment systems to ensure protection of the state’s public health, water quality and natural resources.
The Department of Health estimates that more than 170,000 individual wastewater systems exist statewide, the vast majority of which are cesspools. Of that figure, more than 12,000 are septic systems and other types of wastewater treatment units such as aerobic units and small package plants. Many additional septic systems are currently being installed to comply with the recent EPA ban on large-capacity cesspools.
Proper design and installation of these treatment units is critical to protecting water resources and ensuring proper functioning of the systems, states the Department of Health. Malfunctioning individual wastewater systems can pollute both groundwater and surface water, as effluent plumes rapidly migrate through soil or lava tubes into groundwater or into nearby coastal and surface waters.
Hawai‘i relies on groundwater for most of its drinking water needs and recreational use of surface water is a critical part of the state’s economy, according to the Department of Health.
The workshops will last about six hours and are intended for installation contractors, public agency staff, system designers and pumping contractors who have responsibility for the installation, oversight, and/or management of individual wastewater systems.
The Kaua‘i workshops will take place Nov. 9 in Lihu‘e. To register or for more information, contact Amber Marriott at (703) 385-6000, e-mail amber.marriott@tetratech.com, or visit www.tetratech-ffx.com/hawaii-septic/.
