The following is a brief summary of several conferences and workshops that were convened to solicit input and coordinate development of the NDWRCDP Training, Research and Development Plan.
In 1998 and 1999, workshops were conducted in Rhode Island, Florida and Washington State to gather input on research and development needs for the onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment field. A series of white papers were prepared summarizing critical research and development needs in four key topic areas based on input obtained during these workshops. The white papers were presented and reviewed, and priority research needs identified and discussed at a national conference convened in St. Louis, Missouri in May, 2000. Participants at the workshops and national conference included researchers, regulators, engineers, manufacturers, soil scientists, contractors, policy-makers, utility experts and others with an interest in the field of onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment. Following the national conference, the white papers with identified research needs were revised and the final conference proceedings listed below was prepared and distributed to participants and other interested parties. To view and download a copy of the conference proceedings, click on the appropriate link below.
The NDWRCDP also sponsored a workshop in March 2001, to further identify and refine research and development needs for the onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment field. This strategic thinking workshop, entitled "Mapping the Future of Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Treatment," introduced four different future scenarios in which onsite/decentralized wastewater treatments would play an important role in the protection of water quality and public health. The Future Mapping process examined key drivers and impediments to achieving these scenarios in order to assist participants to identify critical tools and information needs for the field. To view a PowerPoint Slide Presentation summarizing the activities and results of the NDWRCDP-sponsored workshop entitled "Mapping the Future of Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Treatment", click on the appropriate link below.
In February 2002, the NDWRCDP sponsored another strategic thinking workshop, entitled "Soft Path Approaches to Integrated Water Resources Management". This workshop took a broader view and considered water, wastewater, storm water, low impact development, and other soft-path technologies in a comprehensive framework. A PowerPoint summary of this workshop and two reports summarizing outcomes and new directions based on this workshop are available for review and download (click on the appropriate link below).
Nelson, Valerie I. 2003. Soft Path Integrated Water Resource Management: Update on Training, Research, and Development Activities of NDWRCDP and Opportunities for New Projects and Collaboration. Prepared for the National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, by the Coalition for Alternative Wastewater Treatment, Gloucester, MA.
Nelson, Valerie I. 2003. Soft Path Integrated Water Resource Management: Training, Research and Development Needs. Prepared for the National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, by the Coalition for Alternative Wastewater Treatment, Gloucester, MA.
