MSU Extension Septic System Education

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

GENERAL SESSIONS

8:30-9 a.m. Welcome and Announcements

9-10:15 a.m. Promoting Onsite Wastewater to the Public

Session Description Coming Soon

10:15-11:15 a.m. Workforce Development in Onsite Wastewater and University Extension Services

Session Description Coming Soon 

11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 

12–1 p.m. Lunch and Networking

1-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 1

How to Navigate the Michigan Criteria for LHD's

Sara Heathman and Jeffrey Ross, Michigan EGLE

Session Description Coming Soon

Groundwater Discharge Permits for Local Health Department Denials

Alissa Yanochko and Rachel Burns, Michigan EGLE

When a site proposed for sanitary sewage waste disposal cannot be approved in accordance with Michigan’s Criteria for Subsurface Disposal (MCSSD), including a variance request, the facility may look to obtain a Groundwater Discharge Permit. In accordance with the Part 22 Rules, Water Resources Division (WRD) can issue a Groundwater Discharge Permit for a system that is not designed and constructed in accordance with the MCSSD. This presentation will cover the denial process and the tools available to WRD that allows us to approve systems at these sites.

Online Support and Resources for Onsite Wastewater Professionals

Laura Schultz, Illinois State University

DecentralizedWastewater.org is a clearinghouse of publicly available resources for professionals working in the onsite wastewater industry. The website was launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) with funding from the US EPA. It features a document library with links to resources that cover every aspect of operating, installing, and maintaining onsite wastewater systems. The calendar tool provides links to training events from all 50 states that provide continuing education or recertification certificates all in one place. All information is free and publicly available for download. This presentation will feature resources currently available for onsite professionals as well as a demonstration of how to use the website to find similar resources, with a focus on events in the state of Michigan and resources that have been published by Michigan-based organizations.

1-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 2

General Inspections and MiEHDWIS

Jacob Lesniak, Michigan EGLE

Session Description Coming Soon

Expectations of a Roadside Inspection

Dolores Thomas, MTA Safety Center

Information on what causes a driver to get stopped. What happens at a traffic stop. How the officers should be presenting themselves as well as the driver. Briefly touch on the pre-trip and post-trip inspections and go through a few equipment violations.

Accident Scene Documentation

Dolores Thomas, MTA Safety Center

Presentation of the do's and don'ts when an accident occurs. Gives the driver confidence to know what to do when the inevitable happens.

1-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 3

SRLP Authorized Contractor Training

The septic replacement loan program (SRLP) became available to Michigan homeowners in May of 2024. Since launching, the programhas continued to grow and expand rapidly. This session will walk through an SRLP job from start to finish. Attendees will get an overviewof the program minimum standards, a live demo of how to navigate NGEN, what documents to upload with a job, and a brief update oncurrent program data. Existing authorized contractors, interested installers, and local health department staff are all encouraged to attend.

NSF 350 Wastewater Recycle / Reuse Standards

Onsite reuse systems are a useful tool in pursuing water conservation goals. An American National Standard, NSF/ANSI 350: Onsite Residential and Commercial Water Reuse Treatment Systems, can be leveraged to facilitate onsite reuse approvals. Key details of the standard, including system classifications and performance criteria, will be discussed. Additionally, a significant update to NSF/ANSI 350  incorporating a risk-based approach using pathogen log-reduction targets (LRTs) will be highlighted. This update contributed to the completion of EPA WRAP Action 2.18.

Case Studies - Design and Construction Issues

The speakers will discuss how poor choices in the location, design or construction of onsite wastewater treatment systems have led to significant operational and performance problems, and what was done to repair them.

4-5:30 p.m. Networking in the Exhibit Hall

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

8-10 a.m. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

Session Description Coming Soon

10:00 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK AND EXHIBIT HALL OPEN 

10:30-11:30 a.m. MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 1

Property Access and Rights of Entry

Session Description Coming Soon

10:30-11:30 a.m. MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 2

The Myths, Facts & Common Issues of Septic Pumping

This presentation, designed for existing septic industry professionals, will address common challenges and misconceptions surrounding septic pumping, offering practical insights, tips, and troubleshooting strategies. Drawing on hands-on experience, we'll dive into the relevant technical aspects of septic systems, focusing on the most common and persistent challenges facing septic system service providers and industry professionals year after year. This is a practical, no-nonsense presentation for those who work on or around septic systems everyday.

We will explore common real-world issues that create headaches, such as what to do when a septic tank lid falls into the tank and how to handle the situation (among many others). The session will also guide professionals in answering homeowners' frequent questions about septic maintenance and pumping, providing clear, informative responses that help build trust and set proper expectations.

Additionally, we'll review essential tips and tricks for inspecting, pumping and maintaining septic systems and septic tanks in particular, highlighting the most common issues encountered by professionals in the field and offer practical solutions and addressing them. This will include guidance on working with specialized tools and processes for the smooth handling of common roadblocks, as well as troubleshooting the most frequent septic tank failures and how to prevent them from recurring or solve the issues at hand.

10:30-11:30 a.m. MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 3

Professional Engineer's Roles and Responsibilities for On-Site System Designs

Brian Hannon, Moore & Bruggink/MSPE

Session Description Coming Soon

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. LUNCH AND NETWORKING  

12:30-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 1

Optimizing Grease Interceptions in Michigan

Food Service Establishments must have properly designed, installed and maintained grease interceptors to release treatable wastewater to the next downstream component of the system (e.g. lift station or septic tank).  This presentation will focus on how grease interceptors can be optimized to retain Fats Oils and Grease (FOG). Those companies that specialize in designing, installing and maintaining grease interceptors have learned valuable lessons along the way.  Many tips and tricks will be shared during the presentation.

Operator Training & Certification

During this presentation EGLE Water Resources Division staff will discuss facility classifications and corresponding certification requirements for onsite wastewater systems and operators. Additionally, staff will discuss the proposed collection system certifications and administrative rules, along with general certification pathways and educational opportunities for the industry

Phosphorus Control Techniques & Technologies - The Basics

You can make the argument that phosphorus reduction in wastewater is a more critical issue than nitrogen reduction is.  Both nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients to living things.  Typically, phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient in fresh water environments, such as rivers, ponds and lakes.  Salt waters (oceans and estuaries) are usually nitrogen limited. 

Phosphorus is an essential component in important biological molecules, including adenine tri phosphate (ATP), adenine di phosphate (ADP) and Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA).  Phosphorus is relatively scarce in the Earth’s crust.  Countries where phosphate rock is still plentiful are antagonistic to the interests of the United States. 

Phosphorus can be removed from wastewater by pollution prevention (changing product formulations to not include phosphorus), diverting plumbing flows with significant phosphorus concentrations to storage, and using electrochemical methods to sequester phosphorus into multiple minerals.

12:30-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 2

Soils Lab 

Marisa Faraldo, Sara Heathman, Anne Mitchell, Jeffrey Ross, Michigan EGLE

This session requires pre-registration. Due to space limitations, the soil texture lab will be offered in two time slots: 1:30 and 3:00 (repeating session, you only need to attend one). Attendees are required to attend the Soils Fundamentals & Logging class scheduled on January 8, 2025 at 12:30pm.

Throughout the state, Michigan Sanitarians and private consultants utilize the “texture by feel” method to classify soils for the appropriate siting and design of onsite wastewater treatment systems. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to practice identifying soil textures with a wide variety of soil samples. As attendees will be handling soil samples, it is recommended to dress appropriately to this session.

Cropping Plans for Septage Application 

Learn how to fill out a a plan form, calculate agronomic application rates, land application general practices and Part 117 rules and requirements for land application.

12:30-4 p.m. AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS – TRACK 3

MI Advanced Molecular Testing for Health Communities

This presentation will highlight the Michigan Network for Environmental technology (MiNET)’s wastewater monitoring with partners at the Michigan Department of Health and Human services and the recreational water monitoring programs with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The outline will include overviews of the wastewater testing program with information on the latest multiplex approaches used for monitoring bacteria, fungi,  viruses and antimicrobial resistance gene targets of health concern and their public health use case. It will also highlight the advanced PCR methods which are being used to identify fecal pollution in the environment and trace sources to provide rapid assessments for targeted mitigation approaches. The approaches will provide insights into how this testing capacity can be harnessed to provide information on sources of pathogens and environmental pollution that is relevant to onsite wastewater monitoring and its management.

PFAS in Septage 

Faith Cullens-Nobis, MSU

An expanded talk on PFAS, including a brief overview of PFAS, how they get into septage, the impacts on farmland, including why PFAS are a concern, what people can do to reduce PFAS in septage, expanded conversation on PFAS in agricultural soils, community concerns, and review of research. 

Wild Up Your Septic Drain Field with Native Plants

Casey Clement, Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Cheryl A.Gross, Plant It Wild

Native plants provide valuable environmental benefits. They are naturally suited to Michigan’s climate and soil, require minimal maintenance once established, and play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems by offering food and habitat for native insects and wildlife. This presentation will explore how homeowners can protect their septic systems while enhancing their yards with native Michigan plants.

This session will discuss why native plants are an ideal choice for sensitive drain field areas, what kinds of plants can be safely planted over them and how native plants can aid in healthy septic system function. Participants will be walked through proper site preparation, plant selection based on sun and soil conditions, and basic maintenance practices. Resources for sourcing native plant species will also be shared.

This presentation is ideal for homeowners, contractors, and environmental stewards interested in combining septic care with sustainable, eco-friendly landscaping.