Onsite Sewage Treatment Program

Tools, Resources, and Links

News Articles and Publications

Articles, Newsletters, Informational and Promotional handouts, and Flyers

Communities have permission to use these articles in your newsletters, provided credit is given to the University of Minnesota Extension Service

Promotion and Informational Handouts

Onsite Sewage Treatment Programs (OSTP)
All programs offered by the OSTP Team, two pages. Small Community, Homeowner, Professional Training and Research.

Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative, brochure

News Articles

Introduction to Small Community Program, pdf

Whose Problem is it? People in Small Communities Must Cooperate to Solve Wastewater Issues, pdf

Recycle Your Water Through Good Wastewater Treatment, pdf

One Township’s Role in Rural Wastewater Treatment, pdf

Management of Septic Systems and Townships, pdf

Newsletters

Septic System Care, pdf
A four-page newsletter that can be duplicated and distributed

Septic System Maintenance, pdf
A one-page (2 sides) newsletter, especially suited for lake association newsletters.

Sample Community Newsletters

Marshall County Newsletter, pdf

Publications and Audio Visuals

A Quick Guide to Small Community Wastewater Treatment Decisions
A four-page flier

Survey of Rural Citizens on Septic System Issues—SE MN Wastewater Initiative

Septic System Owner's Guide

Septic Systems Revealed Video

Small Community Wastewater Solutions
Portions of this book are available online. See the order information on this link to purchase a copy.

University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center
Publications and audio visuals for sale through the Extension Service wastewater and sewage

Links

Professional Workshops
Training opportunities through the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program for septic professionals.

Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative, pdf
The SE MN Wastewater Initiative is an eleven-county project administered by the SE MN Water Resources Board, a 10 county joint powers board aimed at protecting water resources from a regional perspective. The Initiative is a partnership between the Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board, the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi of Minnesota, and the Cannon River Watershed Partnership.

The emphasis is on education and capacity building, and technical support to communities in the region working on wastewater issues.

For information, contact Doug Malchow, Regional Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Service and Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Initiative, malch002@umn.edu, 507-280-5575, 863 30th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN 55904

US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Septic system regulation is usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. The EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality. Some septic systems are regulated by the EPA if they receive industrial or commercial wastes and/or they have the capacity to serve 20 or more people.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Wastewater treatment and disposal is an important part of our need to protect and preserve Minnesota's water resources. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency plays an active role in this need through a variety of programs. This Web page is structured to provide rapid access to our assistance and requirements to help us work together to meet this common goal.

Shoreland Management Resource Guide
The Minnesota Shoreland Management Resource Guide provides easy access to information about sustainable shoreland practices to improve management of Minnesota's lakes and rivers. By putting resource materials in the hands of local government and citizens, the Shoreland Guide offers an effective, low cost means to reach the people who make the everyday decisions that impact our lakes and rivers.

The Web site contains scientific and technical background, camera-ready quick and easy answers (FAQ's), highlights of citizen action, and contact information for Minnesota counties.

Useful Contacts and Web sites

University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center
A list of Sewage Treatment publications for sale:

Wastewater Options for Small Communities in Kansas Manual, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment
Information for community leaders, environmental health specialists and concerned citizens to help solve wastewater issues.

National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC)
Address:
P.O. Box 6064,
West Virginia University,
Morgantown,WV 26506-6064,
Phone: 800-624-8301 or 304-293-4191

NSFC offers a variety of technical assistance and free or low-cost information and materials about wastewater technologies for small communities. Services include a toll-free technical assistance hotline, an Internet-based discussion group, computer databases, newsletters and
other publications.

Links to academic, government, organization and supplier Web sites