Description: Decentralized or “on-site” wastewater treatment systems, often referred to as septic systems, are a common method of treating wastewater in rural areas. These systems are typically designed to work under the site’s environmental conditions at the time of installation—so what happens when an area becomes more prone to flooding? When soils become more saturated by rising water tables and more frequent flooding, septic systems may no longer be able to drain and disperse treated wastewater, causing backups into homes or leakage into the environment. This is a growing concern in low-lying areas experiencing sea level rise, like much of coastal Maryland.

What is the extent of this threat currently, and how will risks to septic systems shift in the future? What options exist for rural communities that face increasing septic failures? What are the costs and benefits of different solutions, and how can future conditions be factored into these decisions? Join us for this 1-hour webinar as we delve into challenges and solutions surrounding decentralized wastewater systems in a changing climate.

Presenter: Margaret Walls, Senior Fellow; Director, Climate Risks and Resilience Program; Director, Environmental Justice Initiative, Resources for the Future

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend:

• Local government officials, staff, planners, state agencies, community-based organizations
• Small wastewater system operators, public health and water quality-focused entities

Partners: