1. To provide information regarding a wide range of on-site wastewater technologies.

2. To help gain further knowledge and understanding of how low and high tech systems work and why they are selected for various sites.

3. To understand how on-site wastewater technologies work, how to maintain them, and how to troubleshoot and repair them.

4. To provide information on education opportunities that can enhance job skill.

5. To offer an opportunity to observe the application of cutting-edge technologies in the on-site wastewater arena.

6. To provide a chance to interact with colleagues and manufacturers within the on-site community and understand how each member of the community can help with your job.

On-site wastewater systems are and will continue to be a major part of the entire wastewater treatment field. New technologies are constantly being examined, tested and marketed. Understanding these new and existing technologies in terms of how they are sited, designed, installed, maintained, and managed is critical for our field. Furthermore, more information on how the systems work and the science behind their design will enhance our knowledge and will give field practitioners more confidence in recommending and utilizing these systems. Life cycle management essentially promotes this level of understanding. Our goal in this conference is to present the life management cycle (from the concepts, to the system, to the long term management) of several commonly used systems as well as some of the innovative and advanced treatment systems now in use. Our invited speakers all come with expertise in this field of science and management. Paul Booher (Florida Dept. of Health) is a recognized expert on septic tanks and grease interceptors. In his capacity with the Dept. of Health he has conduct studies on these components and will relay his findings to us. Dr. Mark Gross (University of Arkansas) will discuss the improved distribution based on data from several studies as well as discuss the role of the several national programs (The Capacity Development Projects) and organizations (the Consortium and NOWRA) in the this field. Dr Bruce Lesikar (Texas A&M) has researched numerous systems throughout his career and will discuss aspects of this research with us. Dr. Lesikar will also discuss the national move towards developing pretreatment stands. Finally, Dr. Jerry Tyler (University of Wisconsin) returns to discuss his latest finding on soil treatment of wastewater and to revisit the pioneering studies on mounds and at-grade systems and up date this with new information. We have several sessions set up as manufacturer forums to enhance discussion between the practitioners and the manufacturers.

Once again we will have A Manufactures' Exhibit associated with the conference. This will be your opportunity to talk with some of the leaders in the onsite industry about their products and to get additional info regarding the technologies discussed in the conference itself. In the afternoon of the first day of the conference we will have a social hour set up in the Manufactures' Exhibit Hall and have our door prizes and soil texture contest.

Field tours this year will all be held in Raleigh at the Lake Wheeler training and demonstration site. There will be 6 1/2 day sessions in all. The field instruction will end at noon on Thursday Oct. 24 to facilitate travel. The instructors for these sessions are a mixture of regulators, industry, and university personal, which will allow for an excellent learning opportunity.

Please address any questions to Dr. David Lindbo.

This page created by
Roland O. Coburn, Research Technician I on 1/8/03.