OOWA Winter 2013 prototype

Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
Ohio
Onsite
Wastewater
Association
OOWA I.N.F.O.
Industry News for Ohio
Winter 2013
Winter 2013
OOWA Board
Term expires January
Dr. Karen Mancl, President
614-292-4505
[email protected]
Trent Lydic, Vice President
800-321-6960
[email protected]
Ron Laurent, Treasurer
440-286-6002
[email protected]
Nathan Johnson, Secretary
614-644-7181
[email protected]
Jim Charville, Past President
800-733-3624
[email protected]
2016
Chris Griffith
Nathan McConoughey
Jason Menchhofer
Mike Morrow
Richard Noland
Anthony Reveglia
Doug Ruehl
Walter Sandefur
Mary Ann Webb
2016
2014
2014
2015
2016
2014
2014
2016
2015
2015
2014
2016
2015
Inside this issue:
OOWA Conference and Trade
Show Recap
3
OOWA Conference in Pictures
4
OOWA Distinguished Service
Award
5
OOWA News
6
Union County Soil Research
Laboratory
8
Wastewater Education FundRaising Raffle
12
Ohio Water Quality and Waste
Management Conference
14
Notes from the OOWA President
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Can Help Solve Ohio’s Serious Pollution Problems
Karen Mancl, PhD
Nearly everyday I read in the paper about the millions of dollars being
spent to study and solve toxic algae problems in Ohio lakes. More
millions are being spent to control sewer overflows. Elected officials
and industry leaders complain about expensive environmental regulation. Local officials worry about the high cost of providing basic services, like sewers and water.
More than 30 years ago, when I first started studying onsite
wastewater treatment, the issues were all the same. A new
concept emerged in the late 1970’s – Decentralized Wastewater Treatment. I first read about the value of using and
managing onsite wastewater treatment systems in a 1978
General Accounting Office report to the US Congress on the
viability of community management septic systems as an alternative to sewage treatment plants. In the report, one important obstacle was noted; inadequate controls on design, installation and operation of septic systems can make then unreliable and temporary.
Unfortunately over 30 years later, this is still the case in Ohio. Right
now, the 1977 Ohio onsite sewage code is one of the oldest in the
US. Actions by the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Onsite
Wastewater Association and other interest groups have been
(Continued on Page 3)
Quote of the Day...
“To change and to change for the better are two different
things.”
-German Proverb
Page 2
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
Winter 2013
Page 3
2013 OOWA Annual Conference and Trade Show
The 2013 OOWA Annual Conference and Trade Show returned to the Hyatt Regency Columbus for the second year in a row. This year’s conference included a
wide variety of trade show exhibits and educational offerings. This combination
provided a great opportunity for attendees to learn the latest developments in the
onsite industry while networking with their peers from across the state.
During the conference, the OOWA Board of Directors welcomed newly elected
directors Chris Griffith, Karen Mancl, and Walter Sanderfur. More information on
your new directors can be found later in this newsletter. During the board meeting at the end of the first day of the conference, the following officers were elected:
Conference attendees
check out exhibits in
the trade show between educational
sessions.
Dr. Karen Mancl, President
Trent Lydic, Vice President/Program Chair
Ron Laurent, Treasurer
“Fortunately,
Nathan Johnson, Secretary
we are once
again on a path
We thank these members for their willingness to serve in these capacities, and encourage all members of OOWA to consider increasing their involvement in our
association. It sounds cliché, but you really do get more out of your professional
association when you put more into it!
to adopting
modern
standards for
onsite
Notes from the OOWA President (continued from pg. 1)
wastewater
suppressed by legislation, rescinding new, up-to-date rules and keeping Ohio’s rural
sanitation program back in the 1970s.
treatment in
Ohio.”
Fortunately, we are once again on a path to adopting modern standards for onsite
wastewater treatment in Ohio. This will accomplish 3 things:
• Allow for the adoption of low-cost wastewater treatment systems.
• Promote water pollution reduction through the elimination of wastewater
discharges.
• Allow for dispersed development patterns in rural areas without the high
cost of sewers.
As the new Home Sewage Treatment rules are finally adopted over the next year,
OOWA is ready to take on the challenge of educating installers, regulators, designers and other water quality professionals of the important role onsite wastewater
treatment plays in both protecting Ohio’s environment and saving Ohio taxpayers
money.
OOWA Board of Directors organizes for
2013.
Page 4
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
2013 OOWA Annual Conference and Trade Show in Pictures
Tim Butcher gives a presentation on excavation safety.
An enthusiastic audience is eager to learn!
Conference attendees enjoy a delicious lunch.
The trade show always provides ample opportunities to check out the wide variety of available products and technologies.
Winter 2013
Page 5
2013 Distinguished Service Award Presented to Rebecca Fugitt
Jim Charville presents the Distinguished Service Award to
Rebecca Fugitt during the 2013 conference.
The OOWA Board of Directors is pleased to present the 2013 Distinguished Service Award to
Rebecca Fugitt, Program Manager of the Residential Water and Sewage Program at the Ohio
Department of Health.
Rebecca has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and is a Registered Sanitarian in the state of Ohio. For the past 15 years, she has been working at ODH on
program improvements and implementation, including legislation and rule revisions, enforcement and training. Rebecca is also the current President of the Operator Training Committee
of Ohio board of trustees.
We commend Rebecca on her contributions to the onsite wastewater industry in Ohio, including her involvement in all aspects of the ongoing sewage treatment system rule adoption process, and wish her continued success in the future.
Page 6
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
OOWA Conference Moving to Deer Creek in 2014
The OOWA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the 2014
OOWA Annual Conference and Trade Show will be moving to Deer Creek
State Park. This beautiful state park location will be able to accommodate
all of our conference needs without the downtown Columbus traffic and
expensive parking that many conference attendees complained about at this
year’s conference. The conference is scheduled for January 15 and 16,
2014. We look forward to seeing YOU there!
“The OOWA
Board of
Directors would
like to thank
everyone who
helped make
the 2013 Annual
Conference and
Trade Show a
success.”
Membership Materials Available
OOWA membership cards are available for all OOWA members who request them. Current OOWA members in good standing who would like to
have a membership card can contact Susan Ruehl at 866-843-4429 or
[email protected].
Also, current OOWA members can now obtain a digital image of their
membership decal for use in promotional materials. To request a digital
membership decal, contact the OOWA office and a copy of the image will
be e-mailed to you.
OOWA Enjoys Member Support at 2013 Conference and Trade Show
The OOWA Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who helped
make the 2013 Annual Conference and Trade Show a success. Without all
of the attendees who show up to learn the latest information in Ohio’s onsite industry, there would be no conference!
Attendees enjoy one of
many educational offerings provided at the
2013 OOWA Annual
Conference and Trade
Show.
We would also like to thank all of the exhibitors who attended the trade
show. The conference experience is enhanced greatly by having knowledgeable company reps with actual products on display, offering attendees the
opportunity to learn about the wide variety of technologies available. All
conference attendees were again given a “passports” to be stamped each
time they visited an exhibitor. All attendees who had their passports
stamped by all exhibitors were entered into a drawing for $100. Congratulations to winners Nate McConoughey and Ron Laurent! Also, Tom Zimmerman won the split-the-pot drawing to benefit the Professional Development Grant Fund. Thanks to Tom for donating a portion of his winnings
back to the fund! Finally, we would like to thank the donors and bidders for
the success of the Silent Auction, which also benefits the Professional Development Grand Fund.
Winter 2013
Page 7
First Draft of Ohio Sewage Treatment System Rules Released
Ohio Department of Health released the first draft of the new sewage treatment system rules in December of 2012. The draft rules are an initial set of
rules for comment. Comments will be accepted through March 1,
2013. ODH will then review the comments and provide a second draft of
rules that will be posted for the official 60-day comment period, which will
include the Ohio Public Health Advisory Board review, the Common Sense
initiative review and then the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review
process.
Please review the draft rules and submit comments by email to
[email protected], by fax to (614) 466-4556, or mail to ODH at
246 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
The sewage treatment system draft rules (Ohio Administrative Code 370129) can be accessed on the ODH website at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/en/
rules/drafts/3701-29.aspx
It is important that everyone in our industry take the time to stay aware of
the developing rules and offer input on possible revisions. Questions regarding the rules or the regional meetings can be directed to the Sewage
Program at (614) 644-7551 or to [email protected]
Notes from the OOWA President
(continued from pg. 1)
“It is important
that everyone in
our industry
take the time to
stay aware of
the developing
rules and offer
input on
possible
revisions.”
Page 8
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
Union County Soil Research Laboratory
Water reclamation studies began in Union County in the late summer of 2007.
The studies were initiated because the Ohio General Assembly had rescinded the
ODH 2007 Individual Household Sewage Treatment rules put in effect on January
1, 2007. They were rescinded on June 30th 3007. The individual household sewage
treatment rules placed in effect on January 1, 2007 became very controversial for
several valid reasons. Among those reasons were lack of consideration of cost to
an individual homeowner when preparing the regulations protecting the environment and related public health.
A new sign announces
the presence of the
Union County Soil
Research Laboratory
on a Union County
Farm
“Currently
there is little or
no data on
possible designs
to accomplish
the most
efficient and
cost effective
results to
protect public
health and the
environment.”
This was contrary to the USEPA and regulations which guided all engineering work
for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment in need of pollution control faculties. All city and industry studies and facilities plans were required to evaluate a
“No Action” alternative. This consisted of evaluating, calculating, and comparing
the cost of correcting any pollution “problem” with the environmental cost or
consequences of “doing nothing”.
The result of rescinding the rules was; (1) a re-evaluation and more study of the
problems, (2) redrafting of a new law and (3) passing legislation for governing the
activity of providing sewage treatment for individual homes in areas not served by
municipal sewer collection systems.
During 3 years of the controversy, work continued with additional studies and,
numerous meetings by many people in the state of Ohio Department of Health,
county health departments, residents of Ohio, and private industry and legislators
from July 2007 until June 2010. Engineers were beginning to wonder if we needed
some research and real world data in Ohio by actually digging in existing leach
fields. One of those engineers lived in Union County and had over 45 years of research, design, construction, and operation experience with wastewater treatment
facilities for municipalities and industries with Burgess & Niple Engineers in Columbus, Oh.
This background and research work on USEPA projects brought a different perspective and fundamental questions of “what if’s” to the situation. The work began
with digging holes near recently installed field tile for farm drainage purposes. This
resulted in some interesting observations of the rise and fall of the seasonal water
levels versus time and rainfall, in Blount soil in Union County. Those results led to
another “what if” of digging in an existing leachfield (summer of 2008) which had
been operated for about one year in which the location of the leach lines could be
easily pinpointed.
Amazingly in holes dug in Blount Soil 1 ½ - 2 ft. horizontally and vertically from the
operating leach lines full of wastewater (or sewage) resulted in seepage of clear,
odorless water in the hole after 4 to 8 hours which resembled the effluent from
advanced wastewater treatment plants designed and operated by this engineer.
The results can be found on the internet, referenced later. More “What if’s”,
more literature research, new books on microbiology of water pollution control,
theoretical designs, plus books on water movement through Blount or similar soil.
Winter 2013
Page 9
Working with Professor Larry C. Brown at the Ohio State University led to the
final “What if”. What if we founded a “Union County Soil Research Laboratory” to
search for real world data with actual studies with sewage in Blount Soil?
Numerous discussions over one and a half years with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Union County Engineers Jeff Stauch, Mary Sampsel and Bob
Schiederer with Union Soil and Water Conservation District, and Union County
Health Department. Others in these discussions were Rick Varner with the City of
Marysville Water Reclamation facility on Beecher-Gamble Road and Brian Tornes
with Burgess & Niple Ltd. Engineers resulted in the “Union County Soil Research
Laboratory”. It consists of an ample supply of wastewater and about 100 acres of
farm land for “designed” experiments.
Water Reclamation studies will continue employing variations to design of septic
tank effluent leachfields, sometimes now called, soil treatment areas. With the passage of Senate Bill 110 on (Household Sewage Treatment Systems) HSTS in June of
2010, a design feature now called engineered drains or “engineered drainage” may
be used.
Currently there is little or no data on possible designs to accomplish the most efficient and cost effective results to protect public health and the environment. The
only known “data” has been obtained in Union County, probing and digging holes in
existing operating leach fields and studies along field tile for agricultural drainage.
Much of the current information is published in two reports on the Anderson &
Noland Construction Co., Inc. website (www.AndersonNoland.com), click on Rural Water and Sewage.
“This research
will result in
lower costs for
individual home
owners and
small
communities.”
The proposed studies will be under the direction and management of Dr. Larry C.
Brown, Professor at the Ohio State University and Overholt Drainage Education
and Research Program with assistance on the water quality aspects by Dick Noland
P.E. Civil and Environmental Engineer with Anderson & Noland Construction Co.,
Inc.
This research will result in lower costs for individual home owners and small communities. We will be searching for “real world” data on water reclamation in Ohio
soils which will efficiently protect public health and the environment. The results
are expected to improve the operation and efficiency of all wastewater treatment
systems which are being used for individual household sewage treatment systems.
Another expected result of wastewater treatment is to find more efficient and less
costly methods of wastewater treatment for small business and industry which
could be used for “small” communities, in Ohio. The small communities are those
which simply can not afford the conventional systems which usually require staff
and prohibitive O&M costs. This is also true for many small businesses and industries located in rural areas.
Anyone interested in participation in the design of specific experiments or a feature
they would like to see in the experiments should call Dick Noland at 614-2705330. Also contact me at [email protected].
Like Ohio
Onsite
Wastewater
Association
on
Facebook!
Page 10
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
OOWA Accepting Professional Development Grant Applications NOW!
“If you would
like to attend
the conference
or another
If you would like to attend the conference or another quality educational
offering but feel that you cannot afford it, be sure to complete the Professional Development Grant application found on the OOWA website. The
OOWA Professional Development Grant Fund was established in 2005 to
offer any OOWA member the opportunity to receive financial aid for attending a program that furthers their education in the onsite wastewater
industry. Two grants, of up to $500 each, are available every year; one to a
member in the private sector (e.g. installer, engineer, supplier) and one to a
member in the public sector (e.g. educator, regulator, research scientist).
Deadline for submission of your completed form is July 1st.
For a grant application and more information on the Professional Development Grant program, visit
quality
http://www.ohioonsite.org/grant.html
educational
offering but feel
that you cannot
afford it, be
sure to
complete the
Professional
Development
Consider Advertising in OOWA I.N.F.O.
Does your company provide a product or service that could benefit
OOWA members across the state? If so, why not consider advertising in
OOWA I.N.F.O.? The newsletter is received quarterly by all OOWA
members. Additionally, the fall quarter conference edition of the newsletter is mailed to all registered contractors in the state! 2013 OOWA
I.N.F.O. advertising rates are listed below. For more information on advertising in OOWA I.N.F.O., contact Susan Ruehl at [email protected] or
866-843-4429.
Grant
application
found on the
OOWA website.
Ad Size and Costs
Single Issue
Winter, Spring,
or Summer
Fall Issue
Conference
Issue
All Four Issues*
Very Best
Deal
$300
$600
Full page
7 1/8” x 9 5/8”
$200
Half page
7 1/8” x 4 5/8”
$100
$150
$300
Quarter page 3 3/8” x 4 5/8”
$50
$75
$150
Eighth page
$25
$40
$75
business card
* Purchase advertising for Winter, Spring, and Summer issues, and the Fall issue is included for free.
Follow OOWA on Twitter!
@ohioonsite
Winter 2013
Page 11
Page 12
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
Supporting the Environment and Education– Sustainable Water Resources
“Many small,
rural and
suburban,
communities str
uggle to find
affordable
options for
protecting both
public
and environmen
tal health - we
can help.”
Founded as NW MI Onsite Wastewater through the Joyce Foundation, WasteWater Education 501(c)3 has a central purpose. It provides impartial,
independent information, access to education resources, and case studies
of exemplary, sustainable, affordable wastewater management, systems
and technology.
As part of that purpose, the organization promotes working examples of what
'decentralized', or 'built to suit' wastewater systems actually are, here in Michigan,
across the US, and overseas.
"Many small, rural and suburban, communities struggle to find affordable options
for protecting both public and environmental health - we can help. Many cities and
urban areas find it increasingly difficult to afford vital repairs, upgrades
or extensions to central sewer systems. Perhaps, as we face ever unstable weather
conditions, it's time to consider 'decentralizing' components to increase resilience we can help," says Dendra Best, Executive Director.
To establish a stable source of long term funding, WasteWater Education's Board
of Directors has instituted a novel means of providing both annual operating income AND education. Each year, they will market a limited ticket raffle - the
prize being a week's vacation at one of the many gorgeous Michigan resorts who
couldn't be the anchor for economic prosperity in their community without their
technologically excellent 'decentralized' wastewater system.
The Homestead is a major contributor to the local and regional economy - both
directly, through taxes and payroll, and indirectly through local spending by their
guests. Partly as a result of the "Pure Michigan" advertising campaign they have seen
'out of state' visitor numbers double. According to Michigan Economic Development Corporation data, tourism and recreation is now a $1B plank in Michigan's
economy. For every $1 each vacationer spends on lodging approximately $3-4 is
spent in the region.
2012 saw a record breaking hot dry summer in NW MI - great if you're on vacation but the drought caused serious problems for water levels and agriculture. The
system at The Homestead recycled enough water to keep hay production going
and supplying a local farm.
"The Homestead’s wastewater treatment system is an environmentally responsible and sustainable process. It relies on natural processes for nutrient uptake, it
recharges the aquifer, and it recycles water for irrigating agricultural crops. Systems of this type are in operation throughout the State of Michigan. They are routinely used in the western US where they are considered state of the art where
groundwater sources are not as plentiful as here in Michigan.
Because the treatment system ultimately discharges to the groundwater, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) establishes quality standards to
Winter 2013
Page 13
protect that groundwater resource. Treated water that is discharged by The
Homestead meets, and frequently exceeds, all environmental standards set by the
MDEQ. Since this irrigation system became operational, groundwater quality has
actually improved to levels above all State criteria," adds Coates.
WasteWater Education points out that here, in Northwest Michigan, we are
blessed to live, work and play in the region voted 'the most beautiful place
in America' by ABC's Good Morning America!!
"WasteWater Education is honored and extremely grateful to The Homestead of
Glen Arbor, MI for donating our first Annual Operating Support Raffle Prize - a
whole week's lodging for up to 4 people at Stony Brook Lodge (shown in our YouTube video), plus a generous meals package, and guest's choice of golf or winter
sports tickets!!" says Scott Kendzierksi, 2013 Board Chair, "The Homestead overlooks Lake Michigan and is surrounded by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore park system. The location is simply breathtaking!"
The prize includes:
•
•
•
Seven nights at a Stony Brook Lodge one bedroom suite, (sleeps 4
with a King bed in a private bedroom and sofabed in the living area).
Includes the guest's choice of lift tickets for skiing or boarding in the
winter (downhill skiing available on weekends in the winter Friday
through Sunday); or unlimited golf at The Homestead's Mountain
Flowers par 3, 9-hole golf course and two 18-hole rounds of golf at
Manitou Passage Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer Signature Course.
Includes 3 breakfasts and two dinners for each person as well. The
breakfasts will be located at CQ's Cabin and dinners at Nonna's.
WasteWater
Education
is honored and
extremely grateful
to The Homestead
of Glen Arbor, MI
for donating our
first Annual
Full details about the purchasing Raffle Tickets, priced at $25, are available on the
website: http://www.wastewatereducation.org or call 231-233-1806 or any Board
Member.
To learn more about The Homestead - check out their YouTube Channel at http://
www.youtube.com/user/TheHomesteadMichigan
Operating Support
Raffle Prize - a
whole week's
lodging for up to 4
people at Stony
Brook Lodge, plus
a generous meals
package, and
guest's choice of
golf or winter
sports tickets!!"
Page 14
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association
Ohio Water Quality and Waste Management Conference—New Time and Place
Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Bringing information on new technologies to Ohio has been the goal of the Ohio
Water Quality and Waste Management Conference since it was first held in January 1990 in Columbus. The topic that year “Mound Systems for Wastewater
Treatment” became the focus of the new Extension Bulletin 813. This was the beginning of a comprehensive educational program that has brought leading researchers to Ohio and has resulted in a long series of Ohio bulletins and fact sheets.
“After 22 years
the need to
After 22 years the need to learn about new ways to address environmental issues
in Ohio continues, but it is time to shift the conference format. The annual conference is moving to a new time – April 11 and 12, 2013 – and to a new place – near
Cincinnati. By moving the conference we can add an activity requested by the participants. We will include a field trip to a research site.
learn about
new ways to
address
environmental
issues in Ohio
continues, but it
is time to shift
the conference
format. ”
“Low Cost Treatment of Meat Processing Wastewater” is the topic of the 2013
Ohio Water Quality and Waste Management Conference. The location in Cleves,
Ohio is very near a first-of-its-kind wastewater treatment system for a turkey
slaughterhouse. This unique sand bioreactor system began treating turkey slaughterhouse wastewater in August of 2012. Two goals were accomplished in constructing this system developed through research at OSU. The company saved
over $10 million dollars in construction and operating costs compared to a sewer
extension to the nearby city wastewater treatment plant. The environment is better protected because the new plant must meet stricter effluent requirements.
Regulators, designers, food processors and installers will all learn about the development of low-cost systems to treat high-strength wastewater. To register for the
conference go to setll.osu.edu to find the conference program and registration
form. You can register online through firstclassconferences.com.
Installation of a sand/gravel bioreactor for treatment
of high-strength turkey processing plant waste.
Winter 2013
Page 15
OOWA
Ohio Onsite Wastewater
Assocation
672 State Route 247
Manchester, OH 45144
Advancing the onsite wastewater industry in Ohio
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
866-843-4429
[email protected]
MAYSVILLE, KY 41056
PERMIT NO. 106
We’re on the web!
www.ohioonsite.org
OOWA’s Mission: To create a forum to advance and promote
all aspects of Ohio’s onsite wastewater industry.
Educational Opportunities
February 25-28, 2013– Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo
Indianapolis, IN www.pumpershow.com
April 11-12, 2013– Ohio Water Quality & Waste Management Conference
Columbus, OH www.firstclassconferences.com
Online– National Environmental Health Association e-Learning
http://nehacert.org/moodle/
Online– Wastewater Education
http://www.wastewatereducation.org
Ohio
Onsite
Wastewater
Association