Popular with small community officials, citizens, maintenance and inspection personnel, and community educators, each quarterly issue of Pipeline focuses on a single wastewater topic and presents it in an easy-to-read format.

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*Note: Due to funding cuts in 2006 Pipeline has become a Bi-Annual publication.

Spring/Summer 2007
Volume 18, No. 2
Quality Control for Homeowners

Regrettably, most homeowners don’t give much thought to their septic systems—let alone controlling the quality of the installation process—until there’s a problem. This issue of Pipeline helps homeowners give some thought to quality control during installation of their treatment system, which can save them a lot of future headaches.

Winter 2007
Volume 18, No. 1
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: An Overview

The Winter 2007 issue of Pipeline, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: An Overview, discusses how PPCPs may get into the environment and how they may affect it. This issue also includes a centerfold poster from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Origins and Fate of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products.

Fall 2006
Volume 17, No. 4
Watershed Management: An Overview

Watershed management can be thought of as a systems approach to environmental protection. This issue of Pipeline discusses the importance of watersheds as a part of a healthy environment and economy. The watershed-based NPDES permitting approach is described and two case studies are presented. Also included in this issue are tips for organizing a successful local watershed organization.

Summer 2006
Volume 17, No. 3
First Aid for a Flooded Septic System

As recent weather events have shown, even very small streams, creeks, culverts or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather can become flooded.

When floodwaters pond over the drainfield, there is no place for wastewater from the household plumbing to drain, and the entire system can fail. This issue presents homeowners with practical tips for keeping their onsite wastewater treatment system functioning before, during, and after flooding situations.

Spring 2006
Volume 17, No. 2
EPA's Voluntary Management Guidelines: Models 4 and 5

To help state, tribal, and local governments determine the best way to protect public health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a booklet that outlines their recommendations, titled, Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The Spring 2006 issue of Pipeline provides a detailed look at Models 4 and 5 and includes a case study where elements of these models are put into practice.

This is the third in the series of Pipelines describing the management models with suggestions on how they can be customized to help small communities develop decentralized wastewater management strategies of their own, tailored to their specific locations and conditions.

Winter 2006
Volume 17, No. 1
EPA's Voluntary Management Guidelines: Models 1, 2, and 3

In response to concerns about the performance of onsite and clustered
wastewater treatment systems, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently published a comprehensive set of management practices titled,
Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. These guidelines are designed
to help small communities meet water quality and public health standards.

This Winter 2006 issue of Pipeline provides the reader with an in depth look at Management Guideline Models 1, 2 and 3, with a case study detailing how facets of these guidelines are put into practice. Model 1 is the minimum level of management recommended by the EPA and is referred to as the Homeowner Awareness Model. Model 2, the Maintenance Contract Model,
recommends that homeowners using enhanced wastewater treatment system designs contract with qualified technicians to ensure proper and timely
maintenance. Model 3, the Operating Permit Model, recommends that limited-term operating permits be issued to the owner and are renewable only
if the owners demonstrate that their system is incompliance.

Fall 2005
Volume 16, No. 4
EPA's Voluntary Management Guidelines
– An Overview

In response to concerns about the performance of onsite and clustered wastewater treatment systems, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently published a comprehensive set of management practices titled, Voluntary National Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. These guidelines were designed for state, tribal, and local authorities to help communities meet water quality and public health standards.

This issue of Pipeline offers an overview of these guidelines. Key concepts of the guidelines and ways their use will benefit your community are discussed. A table that summarizes the management models is included.

Summer 2005
Volume 16, No. 3
Aerobic Treatment Units:
An Alternative to Septic System

Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) are similar to septic systems in that they both use natural processes to treat wastewater. But unlike septic treatment, the aerobic treatment process requires oxygen. ATUs use a mechanism to inject and circulate air inside the treatment tank and require electricity to operate this mechanism.

This issue of Pipeline explores the reasons why ATUs offer a reasonable alternative for difficult sites that require onsite wastewater treatment. The aerobic process is described and design considerations are presented. Proper maintenance procedures are detailed, along with a special section about NSF International standards and how they apply to ATUs.

Spring 2005
Volume 16, No. 2
Alternative to Gravel Drainfields

Crushed stone or gravel is the typical component of septic system drainfields, delivering the wastewater to the soil and providing a site for the growth of the organisms that remove the bacteria and viruses. This issue discusses the possibility of using shredded tires, recycled crushed concrete and crushed glass as alternative media in absorption trenches.

Winter 2005
Volume 16, No. 1
Drainfield Rehabilitation

When properly design, installed, and maintained, conventional septic systems have a minimum life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. There is really not all that much that can go wrong with the septic tank itself as long is it remains watertight and is pumped on a regular basis. What usually fails is the drainfield. This issue presents remediation technologies and techniques, both long-term and short-term, that can be used in cases where the soil is no longer accepting the effluent. Some common causes of failure and a description of biomat formation are included. A case study about a successful remediation project is described.

Fall 2004
Volume 15, No. 4
Maintaining Your Septic System - A Guide For Homeowners

Your septic system may be the most overlooked and undervalued utility in your home; but with proper care and maintenance, your septic system can continue to work for at least 25 to 30 years. An overview of how your septic system works, a list of what not to flush, tips on using water wisely, and what to expect from a system inspection is included.

National Research Center for Coal and Energy
West Virginia University

©2006, National Environmental Services Center