2008 Issue

UTAH ENGINEERS COUNCIL JOURNAL 17 continued on page 18 bility of onsite program administration. In 1996, the department updated the rules to accommodate alternative systems at sites limited by shallow ground water. In 2000, the rules were reorganized for consistency and simplicity. The rules still were essentially prescriptive. In 2006, the packed bed systems were added with management requirements in response to pressures to develop the sites with primarily shallow and poorly draining soils and shallow ground water table. Continued population growth and economics gave a new lease of life to onsite or decentralized systems as an acceptable means of wastewater management. The experience had shown that onsite system maintenance is essential for long-term operation. Notwithstanding the fact that simplicity of operation is a major advantage of onsite systems, all onsite systems need periodic inspection, pumping out of septic tanks and servicing of simple pumps. More sophisticated systems require more mainte- nance, and skills to maintain and operate equipment. The lack of maintenance will result in inevitable failure exhibited by ef- fluent surfacing or ground water contamina- tion. Unfortunately, many of the systems in use are improperly managed and do not provide the level of treatment necessary to adequately protect public health and surface and ground water quality. Proper manage- ment of decentralized systems involves implementation of a comprehensive, life- cycle series of elements and activities that address public education and participation, planning, performance, site evaluation, design, construction, operation and main- tenance, residuals management, training and certification/licensing, inspections and monitoring, corrective actions, record keep- ing, inventorying, reporting, and financial assistance and funding. This fact was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The agency proposed five-model management guidelines rather than mandatory require- ments. The five models are: homeowner awareness, maintenance contact, operating permit, and operation and maintenance or ownership of a responsible management entity. These guidelines will help support the activities and approaches being applied in several other programs and contribute toward achieving mutual water quality objectives and public health protection goals. Related programs include, among others, Watershed Figure 1, Executive Setup