Wastewater Month

The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water has launched a year-long celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Each month highlights a different facet of the Act. February 2003 is Wastewater Month!

Wastewater Month, sponsored by the Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), focuses on providing materials to help municipal officials educate citizens on important wastewater issues. OWM has assembled a collection of useful information to assist officials in conducting their own outreach campaigns. This page and the companion Wastewater Month CD include information concerning essential EPA programs and funding sources.

Local officials will find space on many of these materials to insert local contact information so citizens will know where to turn for more information. Local governments can inexpensively produce custom versions of the materials with their own addresses and phone numbers. For More Information on Wastewater Treatment Visit: www.epa.gov/owm www.epa.gov/owm/onsite www.epa.gov/npdes

Materials for Better Septic System Management

Files are available if you would like to send the publications below to a professional printing company for customized printing.

	A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems [PDF Format] - This 17-page booklet describes how a septic system works and what a homeowner can do to help the system treat their wastewater efficiently. Printed copies of this 17-page booklet are no longer available from EPA. This booklet also includes the Homeowner Septic System Checklist [PDF Format] (see below) to keep track of the design specifications of the septic system and scheduled maintenance. EPA 832-B-02-005
	Homeowner Septic System Checklist [PDF Format] - This worksheet allows homeowners to keep track of septic system inspections and maintenance. This checklist is included in the booklet above or may also be used separately. EPA 832-F-03-006
	Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems [PDF Format] - This short brochure is based on the booklet above. EPA 832-B-02-006
	Not in My Septic System! Septic tank pumpers can distribute this magnet to customers. It lists items that homeowners should NOT dump down the drain as well as a reminder of the next service date. The warehouse is currently out of stock of this magnet.
	Funding Decentralized Wastewater Systems Using the Clean Water State Revolving Fund [PDF Format] - This fact sheet describes options for using the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance installation, repair, and upgrading of septic systems. EPA 832-F-03-003

 

General Wastewater Outreach Materials

	Utility Bill Insert [PDF Format] - Wastewater and water supply utilities can use this colorful 3"x5" bill insert. One side has information for customers of sanitary sewer systems; the other side is for customers with septic systems. EPA 832-F-03-007
	Where Does All the Dirty Water Go? [PDF Format] - This brochure raises citizen's awareness of the importance of wastewater, explains the basics of wastewater treatment, and contains helpful hints for homeowners about what NOT to put into the sanitary sewer system. Printed copies are no longer available from EPA. EPA 832-F-03-008
	Kid's Posters: How Do We Treat Our Wastewater? This attractive children's poster fully illustrates how wastewater is generated and treated. A lesson plan for middle school classes is on the reverse side of this poster. EPA 832-H-92-002 A black-and-white version that younger children can color is also available. A lesson plan for grade school classes is on the reverse side of this poster. EPA 832-H-92-003
	Wastewater Treatment Programs Serving Small Communities [PDF Format] - This brochure summarizes all the EPA or EPA-sponsored resources available to small communities to address wastewater issues. EPA 832-R-02-004
	What Happens After the Flush - This colorful reprint from The Family Handyman Magazine explains how various wastewater systems work using excellent illustrations. Reprinted with permission from The Family Handyman magazine, © 1997 Home Service Publications, Inc., an affiliate of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Suite 700, 2915 Commers Drive, Eagan, MN 55121. All rights reserved. Printed copies are no longer available from EPA. EPA 832-B-02-007
	Use of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to Implement Security Measures at Publicly-Owned Wastewater Treatment Works [PDF Format] - This fact sheet explains what can be funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to increase security at wastewater treatment plants. EPA 832-F-03-002

Ordering Information

You may order copies of the companion Wastewater Month CD and printed copies of these materials free of charge. Please contact EPA's NPDES program at npdesbox-request@epa.gov or fax your request to (202) 564-6392.

Graphics

Below you will find a few helpful graphics; these are also included on the Wastewater Month CD. Feel free to use the graphics in presentations, web sites, newspaper articles, or your own printed materials. The graphics are provided in two formats, JPEG and TIFF. The JPEG files are smaller files that can be used in PowerPoint presentations and on web sites. The TIFF files are larger, they can be used in printed materials. Please cite "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency" on the graphics you use.

JPEG	JPEG	JPEG
TIFF	TIFF	TIFF

 

JPEG	JPEG
TIFF	TIFF

Click on each image for a larger view.

 

Customizing a Publication

Each publication can be printed to a local printer as is or customized using one of the options below:

1. Stamp your agency's contact information in the "for more information" section of each publication.
2. Using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html) , access the files below. Click on each of the fields (name, agency, address, and phone and e-mail) in the "for more information" section on each publication. Replace the text with your information. You will NOT be able to save the new information (see below), but you will be able to print to a local printer.
3. Using the full version of Adobe Acrobat 5.0 (not the free version) allows the user to read a PDF, insert information in the fields provided, and save the new file. To insert local contact information on the PDF, click on each of the fields (name, agency, address, and phone and e-mail) in the "for more information" section on each publication. Replace the text with your information. Save and print the updated file and print it to a local printer.

Materials to be Customized

These PDF files have fields so local contact information can be added. These files can then be printed on a local printer.

Printing a Publication Using a Local Printer

Each publication can be printed to your local printer or sent to a professional printing company. We have provided document specifications for each publication.

Other Helpful Materials

	Benefits of Protecting Your Community from Sanitary Sewer Overflows [PDF Format] - This brochure outlines the benefits of controlling sanitary sewer overflows, which include healthier communities, an increase in the number of waterfront visitors, and satisfied taxpayers. EPA-832-F-00-005
	Ohio's Restoration Sponsor Program Integrates Point Source & Non point Source Projects [PDF Format] - This fact sheet summarizes how the Ohio EPA has used the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. EPA 832-F-02-001
	One-Stop Shopping in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program [PDF Format] - This fact sheet highlights one-stop shopping initiatives that have been created in many states. EPA 832-F-03-001
	The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis [PDF Format] - This report reviews the historical pattern of infrastructure investment, compares it to a projection of future needs, and provides an assessment of the gap between needs and spending. EPA 816-R-02-020
	Primer for Wastewater Treatment - This document explains basic centralized and onsite wastewater treatment and advanced methods for treating wastes. This informative document is appropriate for educating middle and high school students and the public. This publication is not available for download. To request a copy, please contact EPA's NPDES program at npdesbox-request@epa.gov or fax your request to (202) 564-6392. EPA 832-K-80-100

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Last updated on August 20, 2004 2:21 PM
URL: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/wastewatermonth.cfm