The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Overview

Subsurface drip distribution is the most efficient method currently available for application and subsurface dispersal of wastewater to soil. Because it is so effective, drip distribution represents a viable option for wastewater disposal and reuse for all soil types. The technology is gaining popularity and is commonly used at sites where point source discharges and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are not appropriate due to environmental sensitivity of receiving streams. It is also commonly used at sites where conventional drainfields are not appropriate due to site constraints such as shallow soils above a restrictive layer (for example, rock, groundwater, and hardpan), steep slopes, or clay soils with low permeability.

There is little guidance available from regulators on this technology and engineers must rely on vendor information and practical experience. The information used for this course is a comprehensive peer reviewed compilation and evaluation of available information and practices used by the industry. In this course the student will learn how to design subsurface drip dispersal systems for the treatment of residential wastewater. The course will cover materials, equipment, system components, installation, operation and maintenance for the design and installation of drip systems. The course will be beneficial for a student with little or no background on drip dispersal systems interested in understanding this popular growing technology. It is also an excellent overview for those professionals working in the field of wastewater treatment in providing alternative solutions for difficult applications. Those professionals with a background in drip dispersal systems will find this course useful in evaluating the various systems and approaches now being used.

The student is expected to read and review the material contained in Wastewater Subsurface Drip Distribution: Peer Reviewed Guidelines for Design, Operation, and Maintenance, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, and Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN: 2004.1007406. This document can be accessed by following web link; http://www.epriweb.com/public/000000000001007406.pdf (used by permission).

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of forty (40) questions at the end of this course to earn PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · Background on the approach of decentralized wastewater treatment
  · Drip dispersal system materials, equipment and components
  · Site considerations for designing a drip system
  · Design principles and guidance for designing a drip system
  · Installation techniques
  · Operation and maintenance guidelines to be considered

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.