Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Program Overview
The Onsite Wastewater program encompasses septic tanks, holding tanks, small lagoons, and other engineered wastewater treatment systems not typically connected to a municipal wastewater treatment system. The majority of these systems serve single households, although there are multiple houses, churches, campgrounds and establishments such as restaurants that use onsite systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly one in four households depend on septic systems for wastewater treatment.
The Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Contractors Certification and System Registration Act (Act) was passed in 2003 and requires that anyone doing work associated with onsite wastewater systems be certified by the State of Nebraska. The Act also provides for the registration of all onsite wastewater systems constructed, reconstructed, altered, or modified. Pursuant to the Act, certification and system registration fees support the program. In 2007, the Act was amended by LB333 which provides for application fees for permits and subdivision approvals. LB 333 also established a fee waiver provision for government inspectors. Rules and regulations relating to the Onsite program can be found in Nebraska Administrative Code Title 124 – Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems.
The Onsite Wastewater program focuses on protecting surface and groundwater in the area of existing and proposed onsite systems through the certification of onsite professionals, the use of standardized design requirements, the permitting of large onsite system and systems with non-domestic wastes or systems where other concerns have been identified and the review of plans for subdivision development.
The certification of onsite professionals addresses design, installation, inspection, maintenance, and pumping of onsite systems. Program staff work to make sure that the design, installation, modification, repair, and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems is performed by qualified and certified professionals who understand the requirements of Title 124 and proper practices of their trade.
The regulations set minimum design standards for all onsite wastewater treatment systems and include an “Authorization by Rule” provision which allows for the installation of typical onsite systems by a certified professional and subsequent operation by the owner without a site-specific construction or operating permit. These standard conforming systems constitute the vast majority of all new onsite systems. Department staff review permit applications for systems that do not meet requirements for Authorization by Rule. Subdivision review and approval requirements apply when onsite systems will be used on any proposed lots that will have less than three acres suitable for building.
NDEQ has cooperative agreements with several local governmental agencies to help implement and coordinate the Onsite program in their jurisdictions. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services personnel as well as local health department staff also routinely refer complaints or work in cooperation with the NDEQ to resolve health related onsite wastewater management issues. The NDEQ provides information to the public, industry practitioners, and local governments on the regulations for onsite systems through telephone calls, email, direct mail, meetings, and education seminars. Staff also meet with local government officials and developers to discuss subdivision requirements, necessary before any construction, and waste management alternatives for subdivisions and housing developments located where municipal sewer systems aren’t available.
The Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Advisory Committee (OWAC) advises the Department on administration of the Act and proposed rules and regulations. At the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, Title 124 was amended in 2007 to increase the late registration fee and to establish application fees for permits and subdivision approvals to help cover the direct and indirect costs of administering the program as required by the Act.
Additional changes are being considered at the committee’s recommendation. These proposed changes include an endorsement provision and allowing for distance education for continuing education. The endorsement provision would provide for endorsement by examination for properly qualified certified installers to design mound systems. Mound systems are typically required in high groundwater areas and currently require an engineer design and permit. Title 124 currently requires classroom based continuing education. A change to allow distance type continuing education would significantly enhance the educational opportunities for onsite professionals who must obtain 12 contact hours of continuing education in the two-year certification cycle in order to renew their certification.
Program staff work with many other organizations, including local health offices, county and city planning and zoning officials, the Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Association (NOWWA), the Nebraska Onsite Wastewater Task Force, UNL Cooperative Extension, and the Groundwater Foundation to educate the public about the importance of proper installation and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems and to improve the knowledge and skills of the various practitioners who install and maintain onsite systems. NOWWA has held annual conferences and produced other training seminars since its inception in March 2001. UNL Cooperative Extension has continued to develop and deliver a variety of training and continuing education programs. A schedule of continuing education programs is posted at http://www.deq.state.ne.us/WasteWat.nsf/pages/OnsitePDH