Long-term Objectives:

1. Develop information on the costs of a range of on-site wastewater treatment technologies for specific sites.

2. Compare site-specific wastewater treatment costs of different technologies in different parts of North Carolina.

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Short-term Objectives:

1. Develop a spreadsheet-based program for assessing site-specific costs of alternative on-site wastewater treatment technologies based on local soil conditions, assumed loading rates, and local cost parameters.

2. Provide training to homeowners, County Health Department personnel, NC Dept. of Environmental Health staff, and extension educators on the use of the program.

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Accomplishments

1. Spreadsheet-based program is in the final stages of completion.

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Significance

Information on the costs of specific wastewater treatment technologies is fragmentary at best or even non-existent. By providing economic information on on-site alternatives, this research will significantly improve the ability of homeowners, sanitation engineers, and local officials to understand the scope for -- and cost of -- on-site wastewater treatment.

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Future plans

1. Training on the use of the cost analysis program for extension personnel will be conducted this November and next spring.

2. A technical bulletin assessing costs of on-site wastewater treatment technologies across North Carolina will be published next spring.

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