The University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program (OSTP) will offer a free training opportunity on ‘Being Septic Smart’ in September to celebrate SepticSmart Week (September 15-19, 2025).
An online webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The ‘Being Septic Smart’ webinar teaches property owners the basics about how their septic systems work, including how to care for and maintain a septic system so it can function during or beyond its design lifetime.
Sara Heger, researcher and instructor in OSTP for the Water Resources Center, said, "attendees will walk away from this class with new knowledge about how their septic system functions and how to use and maintain it correctly."
Septic systems are designed to last 20-30 years but can last longer depending on use, care, and maintenance. Being Septic Smart provides information that enables property owners to maximize their septic investment so their system can function during and beyond its design lifetime, with information that includes:
- How a septic system works
- The purpose of the septic tank and drain field or mound
- How a properly operating septic system protects ground and surface water
- How often the septic tank should be pumped
- Whether additives are a good idea
- How to prevent winter freeze-ups, and much more
While the webinar is free, participants must register to obtain the webinar link for the event.
This year OSTP has opportunities for those interested in getting more involved and sponsoring the webinar. Details and tiered sponsorship options are outlined below. All donations are tax deductible contributions to the Keep It Going (KIGG) Scholarship. The KIGG Scholarship's goal is to cultivate new or further develop skilled onsite wastewater professionals across our industry in Minnesota by providing registration expenses for select U of M OSTP courses.
The Onsite Sewage Treatment Program provides education and technical assistance to homeowners, small communities, onsite professionals, and local units of government regarding onsite wastewater treatment. The Water Resources Center is a unit of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota Extension.
SepticSmart Week is an annual event that occurs the third week of September. Communities, local groups, and state governments can bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems by organizing homeowner education events, sponsoring workshops, or sharing social media from the SepticSmart program.
Webinar partners
Webinar sponsors
Silver tier: $250 KIGG Scholarship donation
A silver tier donation covers the cost of half a course for SSTS professionals in Minnesota. For this level of donation you will receive:
- Verbal recognition during webinar
- Organization name and link on the SepticSmart page
Gold tier: $500 KIGG Scholarship donation
A gold tier donation covers the cost of a full course for SSTS professionals in Minnesota. For this level of donation you will receive:
- Name and organization logo on webinar slide
- Verbal recognition during webinar
- Organization name and link on the SepticSmart page
Platinum tier: $1,000+ KIGG Scholarship donation
A platinum tier donation covers the cost of at least two full courses for SSTS professionals in Minnesota. For this level of donation you will receive:
- Name and organization logo on all future SepticSmart Week webinar communications (includes emails and social media posts)
- Name and organization logo on webinar slide
- Verbal recognition during webinar
- Organization name and link on the SepticSmart page
Donate to the KIGG scholarship
Questions about the webinar or sponsorship? Contact [email protected] for more information.