Steps in Building a Wastewater Management Program

Transcription

1 Steps in Building a Wastewater Management Program May 18, 2007 University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI Lorraine Joubert, URI NEMO

2 Topics The Community Wastewater Demonstration project and resources at the URI Onsite Wastewater Resource Center website Phasing in a management program using the Wastewater manager s s toolkit.

3 Much of the Information presented today is either a product or offshoot of the EPA-funded national demonstration project: Block Island /Green Hill Pond Watershed Community Wastewater Management Project

4 Demonstration Project Overview: A joint effort by three Rhode Island communities New Shoreham, South Kingstown, and Charlestown, in partnership with URI Cooperative Extension Goal: Establish comprehensive local wastewater management programs in each community using a watershed approach with selective use of advanced treatment systems to protect critical groundwater supplies and sensitive coastal waters.

5 Need for Community Wastewater Management Inspection Program Cesspool Phase Out Performance Standards 5-Year PROJECT I/A research & monitoring Public Education Low Interest Loans Make results available to other towns Onsite Wastewater Resource Center Most Practical Way to Present Project Results and Products Includes Lessons Learned, Public Education Materials, etc. A One Stop Shop for Wastewater Management Materials Freely Available for use by other Communities

6 Onsite Wastewater Resource Center website Guides you through the entire process of establishing a Wastewater Management Program Provides materials to download and use directly or adapt. It has info about: Creating a plan Coordinating finances Writing an ordinance Reaching the public And much more! A work in progress - to be completed by Aug.07

7 Main Components Local Wastewater Management in Rhode Island Onsite System basics conventional and advanced treatment systems. Wastewater Manager s ToolKit Research, assessment and monitoring Resources Workshop, publications.

8 Local Management Steps 1. Voluntary Education and Low interest loans 2. Mandatory Inspection and Maintenance for I&A Systems Only. 3. Mandatory Inspection and pumping of all systems in Critical Areas and Voluntary for Remainder of Community 4. Mandatory Inspection and Pumping for all Systems Townwide. 5. Standards for system siting, treatment, site assessment and monitoring in critical areas.

9 Approaching It In Phases There are many options to ease the transition from education and voluntary compliance to an established Wastewater Management Program: Target only critical areas with sensitive water resources or areas of dense, substandard development. Adopt an ordinance requiring mandatory inspection and maintenance, but allow a period of voluntary compliance. Establish standards for the use of alternative systems beginning in wetland buffers. Begin a tracking program to monitor inspection results, but focus initially just on alternative systems, large flow systems, and commercial systems.

10 1. Education and incentives to promote voluntary inspection and maintenance Educational materials and methods on website. Low interest loans available with DEM-approved wastewater management plan.

11 Phasing in Mandatory Inspection and Maintenance for Alternative and Large Flow Systems Select critical areas only or townwide. Begin with new construction and require maintenance contract, recorded on property deed. Track maintenance reports, ask service providers to provide notice of cancellation. Expand tracking to include existing systems. As resources permit, ensure proper O&M of system components. Require performance monitoring for large systems, other alternative systems in critical areas.

12 Management Blocks Downloadable Letters and Inspection Notices with Matching Fact sheets and other attachments Standardized Inspection Procedures Professional Conduct Statement for Private Inspectors Sample Timeline for notices to system owners and for mandatory inspections

13 SOURCES/wastewater Sample letters to system owners with factsheets and other information organized for input into RIWIS.

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15 Sample factsheets inspection procedures, pumpout, access risers and filters, system care, and local program summary to be included with scheduled notices.

16 A Note on Legal Foundation Are town ordinances sufficient to mandate and enforce inspections, maintenance and repairs? Wastewater management ordinance used to require regular system inspection, maintenance, and repair and the phase-out of cesspools Zoning ordinance used to establish standards for septic system siting, treatment level, and monitoring requirements. Some require maintenance contracts for alternative systems but is this enforceable?

17 Summary The URI online resource center provides resources to communities looking to establish, implement, or expand a wastewater management program Practical easy to use materials based on proven municipal experience. Management blocks with procedures and supporting materials to be further developed and incorporated into RIWIS with local input.

18 Thank you to our funding agencies and partners: RI HEALTH supports RI NEMO outreach to municipalities to protect drinking water sources. The Town of Jamestown is working with URI to provide training and technical support to RI municipalities in use of RIWIS. The Onsite Wastewater Resource Center was developed under the EPA Block Island and Green Hill Pond Watershed Community Wastewater Demonstration Project in partnership with the towns of South Kingstown, New Shoreham and Charlestown.

19 Questions?