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Join YOWA on October 6th at MASSTC for an engaging educational session that will explore what is found in wastewater—from nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to emerging non-organic contaminants—and examine the challenges these substances create for treatment systems and the environment. Whether you’re a wastewater professional, municipal leader, or simply interested in protecting our water […]

Join us for an interactive, field-based training designed for health agents, regulators, and onsite wastewater professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of soil evaluation. This workshop will take place entirely outdoors*, where participants will work directly with multiple soil test pits under the guidance of experienced instructors and NRCS soil scientists. Why Attend? Attendees will

YOWA knows that communities across New England have a wide range of onsite wastewater challenges.  In our effort to get help for those with problems in need of attention we wanted to share a federal resource assistance program which could be beneficial. Closing the Wastewater Access Gap in Rural America Across the country, small and

The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) Mega-Conference is just around the corner—and you won’t want to miss it. This premier event, taking place in Westminster, Colorado on October 25-28, brings together industry professionals from across the country for cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and the latest innovations in onsite wastewater treatment. 🔗 Learn more and stay

On January 6–7, the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) delivered a two‑day training, Solutions for Difficult Onsite Wastewater Systems. The training, which was held in partnership with RCAP Solutions, brought together wastewater professionals for in‑depth, hands‑on learning focused on managing complex site conditions and addressing challenging system designs. An optional third‑day Train‑the‑Trainer session followed,

As a regular segment of YOWA’s newsletter, we will be interviewing local Health Directors to inform our readers about health departments throughout our region, the challenges they encounter, advice for our profession, and how YOWA helps them do their job. The Spring 2026 column features an interview with Mansfield, MA Health Director, Amy Donovan-Palmer. What

Earlier this year, David Boyer moved from the MassDEP Central Regional office to the Boston office to take the position of Director of the NPDES/Groundwater and Title 5 programs. YOWA Board Member Dan Ottenheimer conducted the following interview with David to introduce YOWA members to his background, goals and projects he strives to implement in

Each September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes SepticSmart Week to raise awareness about the importance of properly maintaining septic systems. While the official week has passed, the message remains just as relevant year-round—especially for those of us working in the wastewater industry. Septic systems are an essential, yet often overlooked, part of our

The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association’s (NOWRA) annual Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference, which will take place October 19-22, 2025 in Sandusky, Ohio, stands out as the go-to event for professionals across the decentralized wastewater field—including soil evaluators and system inspectors. Here’s why: Broad, Relevant Educational Tracks No matter your role—installer, designer, regulator, inspector, or soil scientist—you’ll

50 Vermont licensed designers, state regional engineers, and regulators met at the Cote Recreational Field in Starksboro, Vermont on September 4 to talk about soil, hydrology, and wetlands and to get some hands-on training. Layered Landscapes, a half-day soils training geared specifically for Vermont septic designers, was underway. Bruce Douglas, the program manager, and Spencer