Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

1. The meeting began at 1:00 pm. Six individuals, representing five Land Grant institutions, attended the NE1045 project meeting (participant list is below). Each representative institution delivered a brief update of NE1045 related activities for the reporting year October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015. Accomplishments of these research and outreach activities are noted in the Accomplishment section of this report. Name email Institution Buchanan, John jbuchan7@utk.edu UT Cooper, Jennifer feefs83@gmail.com URI Gustafson, David Gusta002@umn.edu UMN Heger, Sara sheger@umn.edu UMN Miles, Randall MilesR@missouri.edu UMO Safferman, Steven SteveS@msu.edu MSU 2. Sara Heger and David Gustafson from the University of Minnesota discussed the research and outreach education of the program in Minnesota. UMN has completed the field research evaluating 55 onsite systems and the wastewater from rest stops, weigh scales and truck holding facilities across Minnesota. The findings of this research will assist design and management issues related to similar facilities across Minnesota and the US in the future. The UMN has also begun work to on a project to optimize septic tank performance focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and capturing nutrients. This project aims to develop next generation septic systems focusing on nutrient recuperation, bioenergy generation and environmental protection by the implementation of a bio-electrochemical system. UMN published an evaluation of adult foster care and assisted living facilities served with septic systems. Foster homes provide assisted-living services—including nursing and 24/7 care— for individuals requiring special medical and behavioral needs. Wastewater from these homes and the corresponding effects on conventional onsite sewage treatment systems, likely differs from average residential sources but is not fully understood. The UMN is also evaluating the maintenance records of a large sanitary district evaluating how use in the homes impacts the need for maintenance using records of sludge and scum accumulation. 3. Jennifer Cooper summarized the findings of the University of Rhode Island climate change and OWTS mesocolumn research project (findings reported in subsequent sections). She conveyed outreach education information from URI’s New England Onsite Wastewater Training Center reporting that 30 outreach and training classes were conducted, reaching about 690 practitioners and decision makers during the report period. 4. Randall Miles from the University of Missouri reported that he has begun a semi-retirement period at UMO. His role will switch from OWTS and will focus on soils. 5. Steven Safferman from Michigan State University reported on research associated with Objective 2. Specifically, he discussed engineered reactive iron media to uptake and recover phosphorous. The technology is close to being commercialized by the industrial partner. Compared to chemical treatment, less than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are estimated. He also reported on the enzymatic pretreatment of FOG and the success of simulating the drain field using soil trenches instrumented with moisture sensors. An update was provided on researching the appropriate organic and hydraulic loading associated with the land treatment of food processing waste. The advantages relative to greenhouse gas emissions was discussed. He also discussed progress relative to Objective 4. The MSUE Comprehensive Onsite Wastewater Management Education Program issued 609 CSE credits, 25.8 CEC credits, and educated 408 homeowners. 6. John Buchanan from University of Tennessee provided preliminary results concerning the sorption and degradation in a packed-bed media filter of three pharmaceuticals common found in wastewater. It was found that the ability of packed-bed media filters is similar to conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plants in the removal of triclosan, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Future research will focus on bisphenol-A, diclofenac, and 17?-ethinylestradiol. Buchanan also reported on the Ohio Department of Health’s new rules relative to advanced treatment units. Ohio now requires all advanced treatment system service providers to attend a six-hour course on Operation and Maintenance. Buchanan offered this training seven times during the summer of 2015 to greater than 200 service providers. 7. The meeting concluded at 5:00 pm.

Outputs Project Objective 2 – Develop new OWTS design criteria for the purposes of climate change adaptation and mitigation University of Georgia findings – Our work has been designed to determine what effect OWTS have of stream flow and water quality. Synoptic samples and discharge measurements of 24 watersheds in Metropolitan Atlanta with a range of onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) density were taken under base flow conditions in spring, summer, and fall of 2011, 2012, and 2013. Our findings show that stream base flow increases significantly as a result of discharge to groundwater from OWTS. Consumptive use by OWTS ranged from about 15 to 50%, depending on the year. This was probably related to drought conditions that result in lower return from OWTS to streams. NO3- concentrations showed a linear increase with OWTS density above a threshold of about 100 OWTSs per sq.km. Our study showed that OWTSs have potential positive and negative impacts on the water quality and quantity of urbanizing watersheds of this region. We also served on an expert panel tasked with estimating the percent of the nitrogen (N) load from septic systems that was lost in the flow path from a typical home to third-order streams as part of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). These losses were referred to as attenuation factors. We developed values for the soil (unsaturated) zone and for the Piedmont and Coastal Plain groundwater zones. For the soil zone, we used the Soil Treatment Unit MODel (STUMOD) to estimate loses due to denitrification for all 12 soil textural classes and then averaged the results over three textural groups. Assuming hydraulic loading at the design rate and a conventional system, the attenuation factors were 16% for sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam soils; 34% for silt loam, clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, and silt soils; and 54% for sandy clay, silty clay, and clay soils. Attenuation factors increased in the more clayey soils due to wetter conditions and more losses due to denitrification. Attenuation factors were also developed for reduced hydraulic loading rates and for systems using advanced N pre-treatment. For the Piedmont groundwater zone, we used data from a recent study in Georgia of small suburban streams with high-density septic systems. Stream base-flow load was estimated using simultaneous measurements of total N concentration and discharge and compared to the estimated groundwater input load, resulting in an attenuation factor of 81%. For the Coastal Plain groundwater zone, literature values of groundwater N concentrations within septic system plumes in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida were used to estimate an attenuation factor of approximately 60% at 100m downgradient from the drainfield. These attenuation factors will be used to estimate the contribution of N to the Chesapeake Bay in the Phase 6 TMDL models. University of Minnesota findings – UMN has completed the field research evaluating 55 onsite systems and the wastewater from rest stops, weigh scales and truck holding facilities across Minnesota. The findings of this research will assist design and management issues related to similar facilities across Minnesota and the US in the future. The UMN has begun work to on a project to optimize septic tank performance focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and capturing nutrients. This project aims to develop next generation septic systems focusing on nutrient recuperation, bioenergy generation and environmental protection by the implementation of a bio-electrochemical system. This project proposes to plug a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) into current septic tank systems in order to improve the water quality of septic tanks effluents, to recuperate phosphorus that can be used as fertilizer, to increase the production and collection of biogas for the bioenergy application and to decrease the greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. The experimentation to date has been in the lab and move to the field, and the results obtained will be applied to modify current design of the septic tank systems. The project will evaluate the capital and operational costs of the implementation of such a system and assess the potential benefits. The technology developed during this project could be useful to thousands of rural communities, especially those that do not have access to centralized wastewater treatment facilities. UMN published an evaluation of adult foster care and assisted living facilities served with septic systems. Foster homes provide assisted-living services—including nursing and 24/7 care— for individuals requiring special medical and behavioral needs. Wastewater from these homes and the corresponding effects on conventional onsite sewage treatment systems, likely differs from average residential sources but is not fully understood. Foster homes have reported various issues with their septic system operation and performance, including surface discharge of wastewater and premature system failure. This short-term study evaluated six foster homes and one non-foster system (for comparison). OSTP collected laboratory and field data from April through August 2013. Several issues were observed that likely contribute to decreased septic system performance and operation at the properties. Wastewater characteristics, onsite practices, and septic system attributes varied considerably between sites. Nonetheless, common conclusions can be drawn and remedial actions recommended for improved system performance and stability at all sites. The UMN is also evaluating the maintenance records of a large sanitary district evaluating how use in the homes impacts the need for maintenance using records of sludge and scum accumulation. University of Rhode Island – In our soil mesocosm study, the effects of climate change were shown to reduce the ability of soil-based onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to treat domestic wastewater. Intact soil mesocosms were evaluated over four months under present climate conditions of 20°C and separation between the infiltrative surface and the water tables set at current technology specifications. The columns were warmed with heating cables to 25°C and water tables were elevate 30 cm, replicating expected climate change conditions in the northeastern U.S. Two alternatively designed shallow drainfields (a pressurized shallow narrow drainfield and a pressurized Geomat ®) were tested against a conventional pipe and stone drainfield. The shallow drainfields have timed dosing controls, receive single-pass sand filter effluent, and have shallow placed infiltrative surfaces. The conventional drainfield receives septic tank effluent directly from the septic tank by gravity flow (“social” dosing). No significant difference was observed between scenarios for BOD removal. However, less BOD was released under climate change conditions, indicating quick consumption of organic carbon (C) under elevated temperature. No fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) was released under the current climate conditions, however, up to 18 CFU FCB/mL (conventional) and up to 20 CFU FCB/mL (shallow narrow) were released under the climate change conditions. This was likely due to decreased attachment to soil particles because of wetter conditions. Total phosphorus (P) removal rates dropped from 100% to 66% (conventional) and 71% (shallow narrow) under the climate change conditions. Reduction and/or dissolution of metals bound to P were thought to contribute to the higher P in output water. Total nitrogen (N) removal increased from 14% to 19% under climate change conditions in the conventional, but dropped from 5.6% to less than 0% in the shallow narrow under the climate change conditions, with additional leaching of N in excess of inputs indicating release of previously held N. The more anoxic conditions under climate change were thought to increase denitrification in the conventional drainfields, while the quicker consumption of already very limited organic C due to the elevated temperature limited heterotrophic denitrification. The data indicate that all three drainfield types experience some diminished capacity when subjected to climate change conditions. These results may help inform practitioners and regulators in their climate change preparation and mitigation efforts. URI - Modelling Results. The HYDRUS 2D/3D software was used to model pathogen and nutrient transport under different OWTS operating conditions. The main objective of the modeling research is to numerically simulate the responses of three different onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), (i) conventional or pipe and stone, (ii) Pressurized Shallow-Narrow Drainfield (PSND), and (iii) GeoMat™. Measurement of OWTS water quality includes N species concentrations and bacterial removal. The purpose of the modeling is to examine the effect of variable operational and climate conditions on the potential mechanisms behind the attenuation of these water quality parameters, particularly on soil physicochemical and biogeochemical processes. Over the reporting period, we published one research article (Morales et al., 2015) and a second one was submitted for review. For the first manuscript, the HYDRUS 2D/3D software was used to model the impact of variable hydraulic loading rates (HLR), changing precipitation patterns, variable initial bacteria concentrations and other environmental stresses at different depths and soil textures. The results showed that an increase of the initial bacteria concentration required greater depth in coarser soils than in fine textured ones to completely remove E.coli. When a biomat layer was included in the transport model, the performance of the OWTS increased by up to 12.02%. Overall, this study shows that bacteria removal is linked to soil properties, as well as operational and environmental conditions. The dependency on temperature and, to a lesser degree, precipitation patterns might impact the performance of OWTS under changing climate conditions. In our second article, we simulated the fate and transport of nitrogen (N) in all three OWTS drainfields under current and changing climate scenarios, using HYDRUS 2D/3D software to develop an N transport model. Experimental data from the mesocosm-scale study, including soil moisture content, and total N, ammonia (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations, were used to calibrate the model. The results showed that the modeled N losses occurred mostly as nitrate in water outputs, accounting for more than 82% of N inputs in all drainfields. Losses as N2 were estimated to be 10.4% and 9.7% of total N input concentration for PSND and GeoMat, respectively. The highest N2 losses, 17.6%, were estimated for P&S. Losses as N2 increased to 22%, 37% and 21% under changing climate conditions for Geo, PSND and conventional pipe and stone, respectively. These findings can provide practitioners with guidelines to estimate N removal efficiencies for traditional and advanced OWTS, and predict N loads and spatial distribution for identifying nonpoint sources in a watershed. University of Tennessee at Knoxville – In many locations, climate change will lead to less separation distance between the soil surface and the groundwater. As a result there will be less aerobic soil available for wastewater treatment. New design criteria are needed to provide additional treatment before effluent is dispersed into the subsurface soil environment. It is often assumed that the soil environment will remove trace organics. Our UTK study is looking at the treatment potential of packed-bed recirculating media biofilters to remove trace organic contaminants before soil dispersal. This project is being funded by a grant from the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center. The focus is on the degradation of select pharmaceutical and person care products (P&PCP) in a fine-gravel media. A column study was conducted to determine the removal efficiencies of 3 target PPCPs, endocrine disrupting compound triclosan and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen, in a small-scale recirculating media filter. Spiked experimental columns with the target PPCPs were compared to one controlled column. Analysis of influent and effluent water samples for the target compounds were conducted using solid-phase extraction (SPE), derivatization, and gas-chromatography mass-spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Removal rates sharply decreased halfway through the study, but only within the experimental columns; ibuprofen decreased by 73%, naproxen by 77%, and triclosan 10%. Decreases were hypothesized to be from changes in microbial abundance, and therefore triclosan was not affected because of anti-bacterial properties. Averaged total project removal of the trace organics were moderately high though; ibuprofen (71.8%), naproxen (78.9%), and triclosan (82.3%). The sorption of the PPCPs onto media biofilm was analyzed through separation, centrifugation, and reconstitution with 200mL acidified water, and then SPE. Total project sorption of the trace organics into the biofilm was determined; triclosan experienced the highest sorption (2.4%), followed by ibuprofen and naproxen (both 0.4%). Therefore, degradation percentages of parent compounds were significant; ibuprofen (71.4%), naproxen (78.5%), and triclosan (79.9%). DNA extraction and qPCR analysis was performed on the media biofilm to identify ammonia oxidizing bacterial population counts, and potentially attributed to PPCP degradation. Non-significant differences of amoA population counts were seen between columns, however differences in column depth were; the top layer showed the highest population counts (2.82x106 – 3.91x106 cells/g media), while the middle and bottom layer showed fewer (4.72x105 – 1.55x106 cells/g media and 8.07x105 – 1.06x106 cells/g media, respectively). Similarities in population counts between columns signifies that AOB are likely not responsible for PPCP degradation. However, this study was able to conclude that RPBMF systems are able to provide comparable removal rates to that of large wastewater treatment facilities. Michigan State University (MSU) findings – Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from OWTS. The removal and recovery of phosphorous using an engineered reactive iron media coated with nano iron is being investigated. MetaMateria, LLC, developed the media that was tested. The media's surface precipitates phosphorus from onsite generated wastewater in a static column. Performance was evaluated on wastewater from a cluster system at different empty bed contact times (EBCT). The removal mechanism is surface complexation (adsorption), governed by equilibrium. Data from column studies showed that a minimum of 1 hour is necessary to maintain effluent phosphorus below 1 mg/L over a significant period of time. With a longer EBCT and lower influent concentrations, effluent levels lower than 0.1 mg/L are possible. Media exhaustion in a column with a 3 hour EBCT has taken over 600 days. Duplicate 1 gallon per minute pilot-scale units were tested over a 60 day period. The initial average total phosphorus concentration of 7.2 mg/L was reduced to 0.3 mg/L using a 1.5 hour EBCT. Less than an estimated third of the capacity was used over this time period. Recovery of the phosphorus and reuse of the media was found feasible by washing in a sodium hydroxide solution. Two hours of soaking resulted in greater than 80% of phosphorus removal from the media. The modeling effort showed that the Langmuir Isotherm provided a very good fit but underestimated the media’s capacity. However, a multiple linear regression model very successfully related the media’s capacity to EBCT, breakthrough, and days of operation. The ultimate outcome includes a change in action and condition. Removal of phosphorous from onsite generated wastewater helps prevent eutrophication of surface water and growth of toxic algae that may be increasing in severity due to global climate change. Phosphorus recovery as calcium phosphate can be used for fertilizer at a fraction of the cost as producing a fertilizer using phosphate rock. Further, there are few sources of phosphorus in the world so local production by recovery from wastewater reduces GHG emissions associated with mining and transport. We estimate that the use of an engineered enhanced media to manage phosphorus produces substantially less than 25% of the greenhouse gas emissions than more traditional techniques. This research was conducted as part of Phase 1 and Phase 2 NSF SBIR and Phase 1 US EPA and USDA SBIRs, awarded to MetaMateria Partners, LLC, in partnership with MSU. The project is an excellent example of private industry/University cooperation. MSU findings – Land treatment of food processing wastewater. Wastewater can irrigate a crop, provide nutrients, recharge aquifers, reduce energy use, uptake carbon, and save resources. When excessive carbon is land applied, the soil environment becomes anaerobic and metals naturally in soil serve as electron acceptors and become mobile when reduced. Included are manganese, iron, and, ultimately, arsenic. For this objective, major MSU activities included field studies at a MSU test site that included direct soil oxygen and moisture monitoring using remote monitoring techniques and periodic site visits to make visual observations and characterize soil. This field activity complimented previously completed column experiments. Results show that careful control of hydraulic and organic loading values helps prevent metal mobilization. However, with higher levels of oxygen in the soil, an unintended consequence is nitrate release because denitrification does not occur under aerobic conditions. Studies using cropping strategies and variable irrigation are being investigated to reduce nitrate release. The outcome is a change in action and condition in that careful operations and design allow food processors to continue using this technology. Additionally, using onsite application of wastewater, as compared to treatment in a traditional activated sludge process, has a compounding reducing impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions are achieved by not using energy for wastewater aeration, carbon dioxide uptake by the plant grown using the wastewater, and reduced production of industrial nutrients by using the wastewater as irrigation water for a crop commodity. The project is funded by a very large international food processor and continues through 2017. MSU findings – Pretreatment of fast food restaurant wastewater to prevent premature drain field aging. Testing of the Advanced Grease Interceptor (AGIS), developed and manufactured by Sustainable Environmental Technologies, is ongoing. The technology is proven to reduce the impacts of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in a sewer system originating from fast food restaurants. The current project is examining if AGIS decreases the premature aging of drain fields receiving wastes from fast food restaurants. The AGIS produces enzymes in a modified septic tank and uses a one-time inoculation. Experimentation entails simulated pilot-scale drain fields that have dimensionally correct depths and are instrumented with soil sensors to trace the formation of a biomat. Each receives a different waste so comparisons can be made. Further, LC-MS is being used to directly monitor changes in the FOG. Results show that the AGIS does reduce the molecular weight of FOG and the number of double bonds. This results in the FOG being less cohesive and more biodegradable. The pilot-scale drain fields demonstrated different behaviors, dependent on whether AGIS pretreatment was used or not. Upon decommissioning, a dramatic difference was found in the buildup pf FOG within the distribution pipe and gravel. The experimental design, using soil trenches with a vertical profile that is represented of field conditions, and monitoring with soil moisture sensors, appears to be an effective means to simulate a drain field. The ultimate outcome includes a change in action and condition. Successful pretreatment reduces the premature aging of the drain field and all of the expense and energy required to rebuild Activities Project Objective 4 – OWTS Training and Outreach Education University of Georgia – On April 6, 2015, we conducted a workshop on Advanced Treatment in Clayton, GA. We had a morning of talks followed by field trips in the afternoon to see an Orenco system, and Elgin system, and a typical soil of the mountain region. We had over 50 attendees from the Department of Public Health, installers, soil consultants, and engineering consultants. University of Minnesota – During the reporting period the UMN trained over 2,000 septic professionals (onsite wastewater system maintainers, service providers, installers, designers, and inspectors) in Minnesota in over 50 training events and also delivered training in SD, ND, IA, WI, IL, at the request of states, counties and professional organizations. UMN developed and implemented new hands-on troubleshooting training focused on advanced technology, collection and cluster systems. UMN staff planned and organized the educational program for 2014 annual conference in partnership with the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association; and continued work on a NIFA-funded project to develop a customized community septic system owner’s guide. This tool will assist property owners in understanding how their system works and what is needed for operation. UMN also published a review of online training opportunities available for septic system professionals. The UMN along with its partner has continued work on the development of community septic system owner’s guides (CSOG). This USDA grant funded project has developed a wastewater decision-making tool for consumers to help to transform rural wastewater management by developing a customizable CSOGs. The website H2OandM.com is a web-interface that allows an individual to produce an expert-driven and locally-customized manual (electronic or hard-copy) CSOG for any single family to cluster soil-based wastewater treatment system in America. This tool provides users with fundamental information about the operation and management of various wastewater management systems. A consultant, engineer, septic professional, facilitator, or even an educated community member can use this tool to produce a management plan for either a new or existing OWTS. The developer of any given CSOG is able to assemble a professionally designed guide by selecting situation-specific boilerplate language and graphics and inserting customized content to integrate system-specific permit and ordinance requirements. University of Tennessee at Knoxville – J. Buchanan was involved with 15 educational sessions during 2015 and spoke to over 1,200 people about septic system installation, operation, and maintenance. The scope of these events ranged from meeting with individuals seeking knowledge about their systems, community-level discussions about high septic system failure rates, state-level meetings with regulators, engineers and soil scientists, to presentations at national meetings. Buchanan was an invited speaker at the Third Environmental Conference at Shenzhen, China and at Alberta, Canada. Oklahoma State University – OSU organized its Inaugural Oklahoma Onsite Wastewater Treatment Conference on October 9. The 153 participants who attended the Conference were composed of Regulators, Sanitarians, Soil Profilers, Certified Installers, Extension Educators and representatives from various Native American Nations. There were two plenary talks and 12 breakout sessions that focused on topics ranging from soil-based OWTS decisions to, maintenance and even business models. OSU led a multi-agency curriculum mapping effort to establish a state-wide OWTS Curriculum. Course gaps had been identified and teaching materials for some courses had been prepared. Some teaching materials were already tested to targeted audiences and later revised. OSU also collaborated with the Department of Environmental Quality in conducting two soil profiler certification courses that served 9 participants. The OSU state specialist on septic systems also delivered three seminars to various stakeholders. Three short-term courses designed for Extension Educators were also conducted during the reporting period. Michigan State University – The MSUE Comprehensive Onsite Wastewater Management Education Program is in its second year and continues to provide programming to professionals and homeowners. The two professional classes that were offered were “Key Ingredients of a Good Onsite Treatment System” and “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Design and Management”, each taking one 8 hour day. During the reporting period, 52 professional attended classes, offered at 5 locations through a webinar, and earned 609 CSE credits. An additional 25.8 CEC credits were awarded to these professionals. Six in-person homeowner classes were offered across Michigan and generally lasted 2 hours. Combined, there were 408 attendees. Evaluations were very positive, with the vast majority of participants stating that they plan a change of action based on the provided information. University of Rhode Island – During the reporting period, the URI project team delivered 5 seminars to academic and professional audiences throughout the U.S. (outside URI). In addition, we published 10 abstracts, one doctoral dissertation, and 4 peer-reviewed papers are either published or in review. The team delivered a total of 30 workshops/ classes in 3 states in the region, reaching a total of nearly 690 practitioners, decision makers and students. These classes provided continuing education credits needed by over 650 licensed professionals to renew their professional licenses. Classes included indoor and outdoor hands-on venues and ranged from half-day to two-day venues, two of which have qualifying exams. During the report period, URI scientists have provided direct OWTS technical assistance to: Oyster Bay / Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY; Peconic Estuary, Long Island, NY; and, Suffolk County health Dept., NY. Coordinating with Vermont DEC OWTS regulators and the Vermont Technical College, URI offered two classes to train VT practitioners on high strength wastewater treatment and microbiology of OWTS. URI conducted required classes which enabled 18 Rhode Island and Massachusetts wastewater practitioners to receive regulatory jurisdiction approval to design and install bottomless sand filters. URI researchers made ten presentations about OWTS and climate change at four different regional and national conferences, reaching approximately 300 scientists, wastewater practitioners, board of health officials, regulatory decision makers and coastal resource managers.

Cooper, J. A., G. W. Loomis, D. V. Kalen, and J. A. Amador. 2015. Evaluation of Water Quality Functions of Conventional and Advanced Soil-Based Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. Journal of Environmental Quality 44(3): 953-962. Cooper, J. A., I. Morales, and J. A. Amador. 2015. Nitrogen Transformations in Different Septic System Drainfield Types. Ecological Engineering (In review). Dong, Y., Safferman, S. I., Herold, T., Ostahowski, J., and Panter, R. 2014. Enzyme Pretreatment of Fats, Oil and Grease from Restaurant Waste to Prolong Drain Field Effectiveness. 2014 National Onsite Water Resources Association, Denver Colorado. Julien, R., Safferman, S.I. 2015. Evaluation of Food Processing Wastewater Loading Characteristics on Metal Mobilization within the Soil. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 50(14): 1452-1457. Morales, I., Amador, J.A., Cooper, J., Boving, T.B. Transport of Escherichia coli in a Simulated Soil-based Wastewater Treatment System. (In preparation) Morales, I. 2015. Modeling onsite wastewater treatment system contaminants in current and climate changing conditions. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Rhode Island, 154 pages. Safferman, S. I., Gibb, T., and Bhakta, N. 2015. MSUE Comprehensive Onsite Wastewater Management Education Program. Michigan Environmental Health Association, Traverse City, MI. Safferman, S. I. and Dong, Y. 201). Enzyme Pretreatment of Fats, Oils, and Grease from Restaurant Waste to Prolog Drain Field Effectiveness. Michigan Environmental Health Association, Traverse City, MI. Szmurlo, M., S. Heger, D. Wheeler, and D. Gustafson. 2014. Online Training Opportunities for Septic Professionals in Minnesota. In proceeding of NOWRA 23rd Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA. Sowah, R., H. Zhang, D.E. Radcliffe, E. Bauske, and M. Habteselassie. 2014. Evaluating the influence of septic systems and watershed characteristics on stream fecal pollution in suburban watersheds in Georgia, USA. J. Applied Microbiology. doi:10.1111/jam.12614. Waak, M. and S. Heger. 2014. Adult Care Facility Septic System Evaluation. In proceeding of NOWRA 23rd Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA.