Strategies for Rural Development in Areas with Limited Public Infrastructure: Alternative Septic Systems

Voluntary Management Models

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has established guidelines for the management of  decentralized wastewater treatment programs.  The guidelines describe five general management models that can help to protect sensitive environmental features, depending on the complexity of the wastewater system and the develop density within the management area. The five management models are described in more detail in Figure 2.  Managers are encouraged to customize their own programs by adopting the most useful and relevant elements from some or all of the models.

USEPA’s Voluntary Management Models

Model 1: The Homeowner Awareness Model.   Ensures that systems are sited, designed, and constructed in compliance with state and local rules.  Includes inventory and documentation of all systems through regulatory authority with voluntary maintenance by property owners. Appropriate for conventional systems in areas of low environmental sensitivity.

Model 2: The Maintenance Contract Model.  Builds on Model 1 by ensuring that property owners maintain annual maintenance contracts with trained operators. Includes tracking and reporting functions to ensure that requirements of the maintenance contracts are fulfilled. Appropriate for more complex wastewater treatment systems, small clustered systems, and restrictive site conditions.

Model 3: The Operating Permit Model.  Builds on Model 2 by issuing limited-term, renewable operating permits to individual system owners. Provides continued oversight of system performance (including scheduled inspections).  Appropriate where large-capacity onsite systems or systems treating high-strength wastewaters exist, and in areas of heightened environmental concern (near lakes, estuaries, or drinking water supplies).

Model 4: The Responsible Management Entity (RME) Operation and Maintenance Model. Similar to Model 3, except that after systems are constructed, operating permits are issued to a management entity that performs operation and maintenance activities. Appropriate where large numbers of onsite and clustered systems must meet specific water quality requirements because environmental sensitivity is high (e.g., near shellfish flats or wellhead protection areas).

Model 5: The Responsible Management Entity (RME) Ownership Model.  Similar to Model 4, except that the RME owns, operates, and manages the decentralized wastewater treatment systems in a manner analogous to central sewerage. Appropriate where new or existing high-density development is proposed or exists near sensitive receiving waters.  Note:  Maine requires the use of this management model for all clustered wastewater systems serving three or more properties

FIGURE 2:  USEPA’S VOLUNTARY MANAGEMENT MODELS 

 

In some cases, it may be feasible for the RME that manages the centralized wastewater treatment facility to manage the decentralized systems as well.  For example, in the Town of Brownville, the town’s Water and Sewer Department also owns and manages the 12 clustered septic systems that handle most of the wastewater disposal needs in the town’s two densely developed villages.  The properties served by the clustered systems formerly discharged their untreated sewage directly into the Pleasant River.

 

Related Work Plan Components

Workgroup Contacts

In Aroostook County: Jay Kamm, Ken Murchison, Joella Theriault

In Washington County: Judy East