Purdue News

September 15, 2000 Conference on alternative septic systems to be held in Kokomo WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A conference for wastewater professionals and homeowners on non-traditional septic systems will be held at the Kokomo Convention Center, Oct. 26 and 27. The event is sponsored in part by Purdue University and the Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association (IOWPA) According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service, 79 percent of Indiana soil is unsuitable for traditional septic systems. The Indiana State Department of Health estimates that as many as 200,000 of Indiana's 800,000 septic tanks are inadequate. Currently, there is no certification or required training for septic system installers. IOWPA's first septic technology conference, titled "Technology for Today's Septic Systems: A Public Forum," will expose attendees to emerging technologies in the septic industry. The conference should be a "good investment for homeowners, community leaders or people planning to implement a septic system," said Don Jones, Purdue Extension agricultural engineer. Jones said future septic systems in Indiana will be different from systems used today. "In the long term we're going toward pretreatment and cleaning wastewater before it gets to the leach field," he said. "We are moving toward more complicated pretreatment systems with mechanical parts that will need maintenance. Like a car, you can't run it without maintaining it." The two-day conference will offer sessions on pretreatment systems such as constructed wetlands, filters and aeration treatment systems. Additionally, information will be presented on current and proposed legislation affecting septic systems; land use; system maintenance; permits and passing inspection; cleaning and pumping; and training certification programs for pumpers and haulers. The $25 registration fee ($30 after Oct. 11) includes a three-month membership to IOWPA. Sponsors of the event are IOWPA, Purdue Extension, the Indiana State Department of Health, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program and the Rural Community Assistance Program. CONTACT: Don Jones, (765) 494-1178; jonesd@ecn.purdue.edu Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page