A Decentralized Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Decentralized solutions for the wastewater infrastructure are already occurring and exist as viable market alternatives. However, in order to take full advantage of these systems and achieve overall goals of sustainability, new synergies between communities and natural systems are essential.

This website is established for the purposes of facilitating the education and knowledge of individuals, organizations and businesses world-wide, about the role and impact that decentralized systems have in sustaining our precious water resources.  The first step in the education process begins at the 2007 NOWRA Annual Conference and International Program, being co-sponsored by the International Water Association and Water Environment Research Foundation, March 10-14, 2007.

This first North American/International program concentrates on how proven advances in decentralized technologies continue to provide greater water quality, and how they are changing long-held acceptance of practices pertaining to a decentralized infrastructure. It is an opportunity for practices and advocates of decentralized technology and distributed systems in the United States to share their experiences and to learn about wide-ranging advances in planning, policy, and regulation occurring overseas.

The planned business exposition features leading North American and international manufacturers and distributors of onsite wastewater treatment products and services. Participants attending the technical education sessions can receive continuing education units (CEU's) to support their ongoing professional development.

This is the only program of its kind in North America. It’s a program for everyone—where you learn how to implement existing and new programs.

• 3 days of 60 plenary and technical education sessions (with CEUs) on:
Nitrogen Loading & Modeling; Green Building; Managed Reuse; Sustainability; Watershed Management; Integrated Water Resources Management; Innovative Systems; Land Use Planning & Cluster Systems; Research and Case Studies; Performance Standards; and a special session on ASTM International Standards.

• 2 days of NOWRA’s Decentralized Systems—A to Z (CEU's+ certificate provided)
• 2½ days of nearly 200 exhibits with opportunities for discussions with manufacturers, suppliers, system designers and others
• Model Code Regulator Education Workshop (Sunday, March 11)
• Field trips to onsite systems incorporating watershed management applications

International participants from: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, Sweden, and the U.K