Managing Wastewater & Stormwater

Title 5 requires the proper siting, construction, and maintenance of all on-site wastewater disposal systems. On-site systems that are not properly located and maintained can contribute pathogens and nutrients to surface and ground waters, endangering drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat, and surface water bodies.

Wastewater treatment plants range in size and complexity from satellite plants treating sanitary wastewater from homes to large regional facilities treating millions of gallons a day of sanitary and industrial wastewater. Treatment plants may be publicly or privately-owned. Plants owned by municipalities are commonly called Public-Owned Treatment Plants, or POTWs.

Systems of pipes and pumps that transport wastewater to wastewater treatment plants are called sanitary sewers. Water used in homes or industry is flushed through their pipes until it reaches local sewer mains owned and operated by municipal or regional sewer departments.

Contains information pertaining to the regulation of the discharge, treatment and storage of industrial wastewater to preserve and protect inland and coastal surface waters, groundwater, and sewer systems.

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) comes from runoff, such as rainfall or snowmelt, moving over and through the ground, picking up pollutants as it goes. Some of these pollutants occur naturally, such as nutrients from sediments, manure or pet wastes; others are manmade, such as fertilizers or automotive grease.

Residuals is a general term for the solid and semi-solid sludge and products resulting from the treatment of sanitary wastewater. Biosolids are residuals that have been properly treated to high standards, thus allowing them to be used as organic soil amendments. Other residuals not treated to the level of biosolids are landfilled, incinerated, or shipped out of state.

Stormwater pollution, especially in developed urban areas is a leading cause of water quality degradation in U.S. rivers, lakes, streams, and other surface waters. Water quality problems associated with nonpoint sources of pollution, particularly stormwater, are being addressed by federal mandates that affect all states.

A list and links to information and resources useful for water and wastewater utilities Interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy.