Water Resources Research Act Program

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Details for Project ID 2008IN244B

New Rural Home Buyer Septic System Extension Bulletin Series

Institute: Indiana
Year Established: 2008 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $10,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $21,132

Principal Investigators: Brad Lee

Project Summary: Septic system failure is a problem throughout the United States. About 1/3rd of Hoosiers utilize septic systems, and of these 800,000 systems, the Indiana State Department of Health estimates that about 25% are failing. Many of these failures have been attributed to problematic soil conditions that are prominent throughout the state. The governing law regarding residential septic systems (Rule 410 IAC 6-8.1) is administered at the local level by county health departments. County health departments issue septic system permits based on soil information submitted in a report by consulting soil scientists. Potential homebuyers have very little if any knowledge of septic systems other than the permit requirement. We propose to develop a series of hardcopy bulletins specifically addressing the educational needs of potential buyers of homes that utilize septic systems as their form of wastewater treatment.