Septic Systems (Decentralized/Onsite Systems)
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Do Your Part, Be SepticSmart!
SepticSmart Week is September 14-18, 2026
Engage your community, local organizations and leaders by organizing homeowner education events, workshops, and sharing social media from the SepticSmart program.
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Financing Decentralized Wastewater Systems
A guide for community leaders, local and state decentralized wastewater treatment programs, and CWSRF managers for using the CWSRF to finance decentralized systems.
Find an array of funding sources
Encouraging homeowners, wastewater professionals, and state, tribal, and local officials to design and maintain effective systems to protect public health, preserve valuable water resources, and maintain economic vitality in their communities.
EPA’s Decentralized Partnership Renews for 2023
EPA’s Decentralized Wastewater Management Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Partnership is designed to improve the overall performance and management of decentralized systems. The Partnership, renewed every 3 years, ensures collaboration at the national level to improve decentralized performance and protect the nation's public health and water resources. In 2023 the Partnership welcomes five new members.
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About Septic Systems
Learn about septic and decentralized/onsite wastewater treatment systems, how they work, types of systems, see webinars, and answers to frequent questions.
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Care and Maintenance
Learn how to care for and maintain your septic system to protect your family's health and the environment. Learn how to resolve septic system malfunctions and how septic systems interact with drinking water wells or surface water bodies and how to keep them healthy.
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Funding for Septic Systems
Find an array of sources of federal, state, Tribal, and local community funding for septic and other onsite decentralized systems.
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SepticSmart
Explore this nation-wide initiative to share a wealth of online resources for homeowners, local organizations, and government leaders to spread an understanding of how to care for and use your septic system and how simple maintenance can save you money and protect your property value.
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Demonstration Projects and Case Studies
View community projects across the nation ranging from decentralized technologies, management programs, and education and training programs. Case studies help community planners, elected officials, health department staff, state officials, and interested citizens explore alternatives for managing their decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
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Workforce and Training
The decentralized wastewater sector encompasses thousands of well-paying jobs that contribute to healthy communities, clean environments, and strong economies. Find regional and state training centers for onsite wastewater treatment that offer classes, demonstration projects, and research facilities for industry professionals.
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Technical Resources
View fact sheets on decentralized wastewater treatment, wastewater, and water efficiency technology. Find state information on approved advanced treatment methods. Find other programs related to the decentralized wastewater program, and learn how decentralized wastewater is integrated in environmental quality, planning, protection, and conservation.
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Reports, Regulations, Guidance, and Manuals
Find a range of documents on decentralized wastewater technology, management and operation of these systems, and other technical information to help communities establish comprehensive onsite management programs.
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Decentralized Wastewater Partnership
This Partnership between EPA and national organizations of practitioners aims to improve the performance and management of decentralized systems. Partners promote information exchange, training efforts, and public awareness, and produce materials on decentralized systems.