SepticSmart Education Materials

There are challenges across the country due to improperly maintained or failing septic systems for many homeowners, local environmental groups, county health departments and local governments. EPA’s SepticSmart program aims to provide materials and resources to increase homeowner education on septic systems and promote awareness in caring for them.

Septic Sam pop up

SepticSmart education materials are targeted to homeowners but for use by anyone! These online resources may be downloaded, printed and shared as needed. Many of the materials are available in both English and Spanish and in some cases may be personalized by a business or local government.

SepticSmart Quick Tip Videos

These videos provide first-hand demonstrations on the importance of properly using and maintaining septic systems, learning how a septic system works, what not to put down the drain, the importance of getting your well water tested, and more.

SepticSmart Quick Tips

SepticSmart Brochures

These materials may be useful for homeowners, rental property owners or others interested in general information about the operation and maintenance of septic systems.

Homeowners

Long Homeowner's Guide

Rental Properties

SepticSmart Posters

Top 10 ways to protect septic systems

SepticSmart Mailers

SepticSmart Mail Insert

These postcards or inserts may be useful for a business or service provider interested in mailing reminders to customers to have their septic system serviced or maintained. Postcards include space to customize with to and from addresses.

SepticSmart for Tribal Communities

SepticSmart Homeowner's Guide for Tribal Communities

In cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS), EPA has developed a tailored version of the original SepticSmart Homeowner's Guide to reflect the unique factors of Tribal communities and homeowners on Tribal lands regarding the proper care of their systems. Also, EPA and IHS developed a tribal-tailored document describing the use of a centralized approach for the management of septic systems using a Responsible Management Entity (RME) for oversight and maintenance.

SepticSmart Community Case Studies

Septic System case studies

Across the country, local health organizations, governments, environmental groups, and others are stressing the importance of properly maintaining septic systems to homeowners. Although the ecological and health impacts of failing septic systems are felt by everyone in the community, homeowners are ultimately responsible for their systems.

Get inspired by these case studies showcasing how organizations have successfully reached this audience.

Ohio

Minnesota

Washington

External Educational Resources

In addition to EPA's SepticSmart program, several of EPA’s Decentralized MOU Partners provide educational materials to homeowners to promote septic system maintenance.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Homeowner Education Project
Funded with a grant from EPA and in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) developed training materials for educating property owners with an onsite wastewater treatment system. Materials consist of an interactive homeowner/public training module for residential owners and the public with best management practices to keep their septic systems functioning properly. While the training’s target audience is property owners who have an onsite system, the concepts are also applicable to the public, realtors, local health officials, and septic system professionals. 

Concepts covered in the training course include:

  • the importance of wastewater treatment to human and environmental health;
  • an overview of treatment in an onsite system and typical onsite system features; and
  • onsite wastewater system management, maintenance, safety, and system troubleshooting.

These materials can be customized for the audience, length of time and regulations. Each module includes slides with speaker notes, activities including a fun “identify the problem” troubleshooting session, pre and post-test and evaluations, a facilitation guide with an agenda, learning objectives and the activity support documentation and photos and videos of common systems across the U.S. that can be used to customize local training events.

Septic Systems

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Last updated on December 4, 2023