EPA's Onsite System Recommendations for Chesapeake Bay

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??