EPA’s Draft Onsite System Recommendations for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

1. EPA’s Draft Onsite System Recommendations for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Joyce Hudson, Environmental Engineer Office of Wastewater Management June 29, 2011

2. Background • Response to Executive Order 13508 • EPA leading effort to “restore clean water” • Reduce pollution from septic systems • Reduce water pollution from federal lands and facilities • EPA commitments: • By June 30, 2013, EPA will develop a model state program with general recommendations for activities to reduce pollution from septic (onsite) systems • Within one year, publish guidance for Federal land management describing proven, cost-effective tools and practices that reduce water pollution (completed)

3. Model Program for Onsite Systems • Objectives • Provide models and tools for use by states and local governments to reduce loading of nitrogen to the Bay from onsite systems • Incorporate previous efforts by EPA to improve management practices • EPA Management Guidelines • Federal Land Management Guidelines

4. EPA Voluntary Management Guidelines Management Models: 1 - Homeowner Awareness 2 - Maintenance Contracts 3 - Operating Permits 4 - Responsible Management Entity (RME) Operation and Maintenance 5 - RME Ownership and Management

5. Management Guidelines: • As risk factors increase, management level increases 5 RME ownership 4 RME O&M Environmental Sensitivity Treatment Complexity Wastewater Characteristics 3 Operating permits Increasing Risks Public Health 2 Maintenance contracts 1 Inventory & maintenance awareness Risk Factors Ayres Associates

6. Federal Land Management Guidelines • Measures (repeated in model program components): • Performance levels • Management program components

7. Draft Model Program • Performance standards • Management practices • Example implementing documents • Case studies • Checklist approach to navigate model program

8. Recommendations • Performance standards • No septic system discharge within 100 feet of the Bay or its tributaries • Treatment to 5 mg/L TN for systems between 100-200 ft • Treatment to 10 mg/L TN for systems between 200-1,000 ft • Treatment to 20 mg/L TN for systems beyond 1,000 ft • A 5 mg/L N reduction credit is given when using drip irrigation • Option to remove nitrate in subsurface effluent plumes that enter surface waters by using effective, low‐cost technologies such as permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). • Management • Use cluster systems with advanced technology sufficient to meet the standards specified above for all newly developed communities and densely populated areas. • Recommendations for improving the approval of alternative technologies needed to meet the nitrogen performance standards • Perpetual management contracts with trained and certified operators for all advanced N‐removal systems • Responsible management entity (RME)) for all cluster and nonresidential systems. • Data management to confirm compliance with the State’s WIP • Require inventories and inspections of all systems

9. Schedule for Model Program • Review by state agencies • Onsite regulators: Summer 2011 • Other state agencies: based on interest • Draft for Federal Family – Sept 2011 • Possible notice in Federal Register – fall 2012 • Final document – Jun 2013

10. For more information:hudson.joyce@epa.govwww.epa.gov/owm/onsiteQUESTIONS??