On January 12, 2005, the U.S. EPA and eight partner organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to address the environmental challenges facing the US in implementing decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The agreement formalizes the collaboration between EPA and its partners to support state and local governments to improve communication about their decentralized wastewater programs. It focuses on the strategies needed among the partnering associations to implement effective communication to the public about the planning, septic system design, and long-term operation and maintenance of septic systems. NOWRA is pleased to host this site as a partner in this MOU with the EPA and the following organizations.