2002 Annual Report
Extension and Outreach
On-Site Sewage Treatment Program: Small Community Education
Ken Olson, Extension On-Site Sewage Treatment Educator
Doug Malchow, Extension Educator
Greg Miller, Program Associate
Sara Christopherson, Extension On-Site Sewage Treatment Educator
David Gustafson, Extension On-Site Sewage Treatment Educator
Objective
The goal of the Small Community Education portion of the On-Site Sewage
Treatment Program is to teach the owners of systems and local policy makers
about the importance of proper on-site wastewater treatment to protect
human and environmental health.
The specific objectives are to:
- Teach local policy makers (elected and appointed officials) the principles and appropriate applications of wastewater treatment technologies and management.
- Prepare residents of small communities to consider all options and
use good decision making processes to find viable solutions to their
wastewater needs.
Program Description
The Small Community education is achieved through: individual presentations,
seminars, community team workshops, the distribution of educational materials
(print, video, web site), the training of volunteers and professionals,
and mass media. The three broad categories of topics include:
- Management of on-site systems–monitoring, operation, maintenance
- Alternative treatment technologies–function, management, costs, performance
- Small community options–treatment, management, legal structures,
funding, community decision-making process
The opportunities to provide this information came through individual
inquiries, referrals, contacts with partner organizations, the ISTS professional
training program, and continuing education programs for professionals
and local government officials.
Six seminars are being offered throughout the state in late 2002 and
early 2003. The first four seminars have attracted over 175 attendees
that include township, county and state officials, community leaders,
on-site professionals and the concerned residents of small communities.
The program has contracted with the MPCA to fulfill a grant and produce
the Small Community Wastewater Options Guidebook.
Outcomes
Outcomes include an overall increase in the understanding and knowledge
of on-site systems, their importance, and the need for management of the
systems. Over 2000 homeowners, small community residents and local government
officials were reached during 2002. The sale of educational materials
to individuals, local governments and organizations continues to be brisk.
Septic system topics on the Info U call in system and BAE Septic web site
are popular sources of information statewide and nationally.
The Small Community Wastewater Options Guidebook (approximately 130 pages)
with two Extension and 2 ‘partner’ authors is completed and
is available through the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Sales
in the last quarter are approaching 500 units. Many organizations and
agencies have expressed interest in obtaining the publication.