Description: Decentralized wastewater systems serve over 20% of homes and approximately 60 million people nationwide, making them a critical pillar of public infrastructure. However, environmental officials estimate that up to 25% of these systems are currently failing, threatening groundwater resources. Managing these systems requires unique vigilance to protect environmental and public health.

This comprehensive 5-hour webinar (delivered across two 2.5-hour sessions) delivers the vital strategies needed to proactively manage, inspect, and maintain these systems. On Day 1, we focus on individual onsite septic systems, covering conventional mechanics, soil evaluation, design constraints, maintenance diagnostics, and system variations. On Day 2, we explore decentralized infrastructure, analyzing shared drainfields, effluent-only networks, batch plants, and the administrative framework needed to run successful community-wide management and compliance programs.

Please Note: This is a two-day workshop taking place from 1:00pm-3:30pm (ET) on both December 15 & 16, 2026.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the components of onsite wastewater treatment systems, as well as seasonal or regional system variations.
• Describe the functionality of key onsite wastewater system components and understand associated maintenance needs.
• Explain the benefits of decentralized wastewater networks and community programs and understand options to provide these services. 
• Analyze system failures, diagnostic warnings, and compliance policies to troubleshoot problems to extend asset lifetimes and protect environmental health.

CEUs: This course is currently pending approval of continuing education credit, although we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, all qualifying attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance for their personal record.

Presenters: Gregory Pearson, Water and Wastewater Systems Trainer and John Butler, PE, Research Engineer II, Great Lakes Environmental Infrastructure Center

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of onsite and decentralized wastewater systems
• Decision-makers for onsite and decentralized wastewater systems
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving onsite and decentralized wastewater systems

Partner: