The United States Environmental Protection Agency released a new document, titled Safeguarding Against Natural Hazards and Extreme Weather Events: A Resource Guide for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), also referred to as septic systems or decentralized systems, treat wastewater and return the treated effluent to the environment. Due to natural hazards […]

MOWMA will host its annual Education Days on April 10th in Brandon and April 11th in Winnipeg. A full day of educational presentations will be available to attendees. Following the presentations in Winnipeg, the Association will hold its Annual General Meeting. Stay tuned for more information.

A national study conducted by the Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA) in 2023 showed that among the 98% of Canadian households that have medication on hand (such as prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, lotions/ointments, and natural health products), 21% thought that such medications did not cause any harm if disposed of in a landfill or a sink/toilet.

WCOWMA in partnership with the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) hosted its annual Septic Awareness Week from September 16 – September 20. In addition to a social media campaign and newsletters about proper operation and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems, each provincial chapter of WCOWMA provided webinars for homeowners throughout the week. Two Septic

September 16 to 20, 2024 is Septic Awareness Week, and the Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association has partnered with the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) to promote proper operation and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems. Throughout Septic Awareness Week we’ll share information on the importance of maintaining septic systems along with tips for operation. In

For several months now, WCOWMA has been hearing concerns from pumpers about lack of access to receiving facilities. The latest issues have arisen in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia where pumpers in the Chilliwack area are limited in where they can haul wastewater from areas outside city limits. Receiving facilities are over capacity and

The MOWMA held a Site and Soils Evaluation Field Day on May 30, 2024 in the Tolstoi, MB area for those interested in learning more about performing detailed site visits and designing systems for difficult situations and soils. This training workshop provided information on assessing soil structure and texture, assessing site conditions and constraints, logging

A presentation at the Manitoba Onsite Wastewater Management Association Education Days updated contractors on a few planned policy changes to prepare them for the 2024 installation season. Applications for Variances In order to receive a variance in a situation where a site cannot meet all the requirements of the regulation, contractors will have to show

Joe Karthein, a WCOWMA-BC member and owner of Sentinel Excavating, used to work as self-employment counsellor with Community Futures. In that role, he helped over 100 small businesses develop business plans and grow their existing businesses. In March, Karthein delivered a presentation at the 2024 WCOWMA-BC Convention on building a business plan.  Keep an eye