These classes are performed for homeowners and are usually sponsored by the local Health Depts. Zoning Offices, Lake Associations, Homeowner Associations and/or local governments.  In most cases it is the homeowners that get these classes started because they are the ones that will benefit from them...or lose without them. 

In 1995, Ken Olson of the University of Minnesota Extension Service started a community education program for homeowners in the Twin Cities metro area.  Follow-up studies have shown virtually 100% of the people that attend these classes make changes in their life-styles to protect their systems and a large percentage voluntarily replace/repair their failing systems.  Requests from small communities outside the metro area and in other states proved the nation-wide need for this educational process. 

Having worked with the Extension Service on various educational programs, Jim vonMeier volunteered to take this a step further by working with Health Depts. and communities performing these classes in other parts of the country.  These agencies/groups welcome the help and have said this [educational process] is long over-due.  Many have also stated homeowners seem to listen to an outside source more readily than a local source.          

These 2-hour classes teach homeowners the health, environmental and financial damages failing septic systems have caused, what a proper system is, and how to use and maintain those systems.  Because of the number of questions from the audience these classes run 2½-3 hours.

The need and support for this education is obvious.  Many have stated waiting [years] for individual states and communities to organize and implement these programs would be counterproductive, financially devastating, and an un-necessary source of environmental damage.  A common statement homeowners make is, “This is so simple.  Why didn’t someone tell me this before my system failed?”  A common statement from the health and zoning officials is, "Even we were not aware of many of the things you talked about."    

Another issue (when applicable) in these seminars is whether to run the city sewer lines out to neighborhoods.  Unfortunately many communities have made this choice and soon come to regret the decision.  The costs always seem to go higher than projected and the environmental problems increase. 

Jim addresses this problem without taking either side, rather he outlines the steps the community should follow to determine what the best solution would be.    

Program Objective: To show homeowners that properly designed, installed and maintained septic systems are better for the environment and less expensive than sewage treatment facilities, but they must be properly used and maintained. Course Outline:

• Explain the difference between disposal of waste water and treatment.

• Explain how soils naturally perform the treatment process.

• The history and evolution of septic systems.

• How a septic system functions.

• What causes them to fail.

• What steps can be taken to prevent a failure.

• Environmentally safe methods that may rejuvenate a failed system.

• When applicable, focus on how small communities can map out a plan of action to deal with sewage treatment and show them how not to get taken to the cleaners...a very common occurrence with smaller communities.  

•  Questions/Answers/Discussion.

These classes are scheduled for 2 hours. Many will run 2½ to 3 hours depending on the number of questions.

To download community education brief (pdf) click here

To contanct Jim vonMeier for more information click here or call 1-763-856-3800