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Can you introduce yourself?Hi, my name is Rebekah Novak, I live in Colrain, MA with my husband.  We live a quiet lifestyle in the woods and love sharing hobbies like hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening and home projects. We enjoy supporting local businesses, and farms for obtaining local, healthy food. I find joy in being creative […]

Can you introduce yourself?Rob Sarmanian, President of Oakson, Inc. Can you provide some background of your experience in the onsite wastewater field?Started with Oakson in 2008 for the design and installation of Perc-Rite® Drip Dispersal Systems.  Worked with engineers on developing site plans.  Helped contractors onsite with installations.  Assisted health officials in plan review and

Taking a glance at the recent developments in the “Innovative/Alternative” approvals of various onsite wastewater system components under 310 CMR 15.280 over the past few years reveals an interesting pattern.  We will dig deep into the two issued last year and also touch on approvals issued over the three prior years as well: **2023: A

The spring edition of NOWRA’s Onsite Journal features an article by the University of Alabama focusing on the “Black Belt” region. This area encompasses 17 counties in Alabama and is named for its abundant Blackland Prairie soil, characterized by its distinctive shrink-swell qualities that pose challenges for traditional drainfields.  While advanced treatment systems could offer

As a new 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 2024 column features an interview with Rike Sterrett, Director of Public Health

Join YOWA on June 25, 2024 in Newton, MA to learn about the nitrogen cycle and the effect on onsite wastewater systems. I/A technologies and new Cape & Islands regulations will also be reviewed. The program features presentations on SE/SI credits are pending approval.  View the agenda to learn more and register online to attend.

As a new 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. Our inaugural column features an interview with Melissa Ranieri, Health Director for the Walpole

In October, NOWRA conducted its 9th Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference: “Clean Water For Healthy Communities” in the picturesque setting of Norfolk, VA. The event was a collaborative effort between NOWRA, the National Association of Wastewater Technicians, State Onsite Regulators Alliance, and the Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, the state’s affiliate to NOWRA. This successful gathering boasted

The 2023 National On-site Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) Mega-Conference located in Hampton, Virginia was an enlightening educational experience.  Not only did this conference provide excellent networking opportunities, but it also provided new information and positive goals to which we can aspire as a State affiliate. During the keynote presentations, we heard inspiring stories from Sherry

The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (MassDEP) has released changes to the Title 5 and other regulations which will impact Cape Cod communities, effective July 7, 2023. Communities have two years to opt into the watershed permitting process to address nitrogen pollution and restore estuaries. Failure to obtain a watershed permit within those two years