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Wastewater and Onsite Systems | Regulatory Cooperation Project
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Regulatory Cooperation Project is an interstate effort to evaluate innovative/alternative (I/A) on-site technologies capable of protecting public health and the environment. The project provides states with an efficient review process for I/A technologies. By bringing together the interests of regulators and end users, this project facilitates independent evaluation of environmental technology performance.
All participating agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 1996. Signatories agreed to participate in the project because they recognize the benefit of evaluating new technologies on a regional basis.
Members consist of representatives from the New England State On-Site Programs, NEIWPCC staff, and other selected regional or national academicians, experts, and consultants as needed. The project is carried out by a Technical Review Committee. The committee assesses each technology on its merits, then renders an Advisory Opinion. The final Advisory Opinion is based on the applicants' proof that they can meet their stated "performance claim."
Funding comes from the EPA's Environmental Technology Initiative as well as in-kind contribution from each of the New England State regulatory agencies.
Objective
The goal of NEIWPCC's Regulatory Cooperation Project is to facilitate the technical evaluation of innovative/alternative (I/A) on-site wastewater technologies to expedite the acceptance of these technologies in both the private and public sectors. Although this regional review will not authorize permit reciprocity in each state, it will assist the state regulatory staff by the issuance of an Advisory Opinion.
The Advisory Opinions will help strengthen the partnership between the New England states and EPA to promote I/A environmental technologies and to improve the competitiveness of New England-based envirotech companies for marketing both in the US and abroad.
Purpose of the Project
The purpose of the project is to serve as a regional forum for bringing together state regulators and technology vendors to discuss issues regarding evaluation and performance of I/A on-site wastewater treatment technologies. The primary benefit of the project is in its assistance to state regulators in carrying out their responsibilities for evaluating these technologies in a efficient and effective manner.
Specifically, the project provides a framework for:
Scope of the Project
This voluntary project evaluates only those technologies that provide cost-effective, more efficient, and/or more environmentally friendly methods (compared to conventional methods) for treatment and/or disposal of on-site wastewater. The focus of the effort is on innovative/alternative technologies that support on-site wastewater treatment and disposal for small systems (< 2,000 gpd) and have real performance data and/or existing state approvals.
The Technical Review Committee
The committee is comprised of experienced regulatory officials from state agencies and a representative from NEIWPCC. When necessary, technical advisors may be utilized to provide expert advice. These advisors may include, but are not limited to, representatives from the Small Flows Clearinghouse, the National On-Site Wastewater Recycling Association, regional and national testing centers, academia, and the consulting community.
Defining Traditional Onsite Treatment
Traditional subsurface disposal systems consist of a septic tank, a distribution box, and a soil absorption system (i.e. leachfield or trench). The septic tank receives raw sewage from the dwelling and provides primary treatment of the wastewater. The distribution box provides equal distribution of the septic tank effluent to the soil absorption system. The soil absorption system is designed to spread the septic tank effluent over a broad area of subsurface material where biological, chemical, and physical treatment of the wastewater occurs. If the system is properly designed, installed, and maintained, the soil absorption system and the underlying soil will filter out more suspended solids, consume the organic material, reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and kill off viruses and pathogens.
Defining Innovative/Alternative Onsite Treatment
A conventional system does very little to remove or attenuate potentially harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen. This is an issue that many I/A on-site systems are trying to address. For the purposes of this regional cooperation effort, I/A subsurface disposal systems can be separated into three main categories:
1. Material Replacement: These types of alternative technologies simply replace or substitute one part of the conventional system with a part made of a different material, i.e. concrete, plastic, etc. The technical review committee is primarily concerned with the long-term durability and structural integrity of components falling underneath this category.
2. Modification to a Conventional System: These types of alternative technologies usually request a waiver or variance from the typical requirements of a conventional system by making performance-improvment claims. Performance-improvment claims made by these types of technologies may be attributed to their increased loading rate or reduction in soil infiltration area. The technical review committee is primarily concerned with the long-term reliability and contingency plans for technologies falling underneath this category.
3. Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT): These types of alternative technologies provide a higher level of wastewater treatment (i.e. secondary, tertiary) than a conventional system. These technologies usually entail the use of moving or mechanical parts that require periodic maintenance by qualified personnel. These systems should be permitted individually by each state agency due to their complexity. The technical review committee is primarily concerned with the long term reliability, contingency plans, and operation and maintenance for technologies falling underneath this category
Advisory Opinions
The Advisory Opinion gives a brief description of the technology, the "performance claim(s)" that the applicant is seeking, and a list of recommendations and general concerns for the notice of regulators. When the committee and the applicant concur on the Advisory Opinion, the committee signs it and provides a copy to the applicant. Advisory Opinions previously issued by the committee include:
| Technology Name | Approval Date | File for Download |
| Polylok, Inc. The Equalizer |
July 31, 1997 | PDF 11K |
|
Floating Outlet Distribution Chamber (FLOUT) |
July 31, 1997 | PDF 11K |
| Orenco Systems, Inc. Hydrosplitter |
July 31, 1997 | PDF 11K |
| Orenco Systems, Inc. Screened Vault Technology |
October 29, 1997 | PDF 12K |
| AWT Environmental Inc. Bioclere |
March 25, 1998 | PDF 12K |
| Presby Environmental,Inc. Presby Maze |
April 29, 1998 | PDF 11K |
| Premier Tech Ltd. Ecoflow ST-650 |
February 15, 2000 | PDF 24K |
| GAG Sim/Tech Filter GAG Sim/Tech Filter |
June 6, 2000 | PDF 11K |