U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY INITIATIVES FOR DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT

摘要

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems collect, treat, and disperse wastewaterrnfrom individual homes or clusters of homes, isolated communities, or businesses at orrnnear the point of waste generation. Currently, decentralized systems servernapproximately 25 percent of the U.S. population and approximately 37 percent of newrndevelopment. Adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems can be a costeffectivernand long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals,rnparticularly for rural areas, small communities, and suburbs (USEPA, 1998). Whenrnnot properly maintained, however, these systems can fail, resulting in environmentalrndegradation and public health threats. In 1996, Congress requested the U.S.rnEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct an analysis of the benefits ofrndecentralized wastewater system alternatives compared to systems with centralizedrncollection and treatment and to identify its plans for implementing these alternatives.rnEPA抯 response identified five barriers to successful implementation of decentralizedrnsystems: (1) lack of knowledge and public misperception, (2) legislative and regulatoryrnconstraints, (3) lack of management programs, (4) fear of liability and engineeringrnfees, and (5) financial constraints (USEPA, 1997). EPA is developing a nationalrnstrategy to overcome these barriers by focusing on encouraging alternativerntechnology where appropriate, promoting management systems, and coordinating itsrninitiatives with other ongoing efforts nationwide.