Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual or small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality. This Septic Systems Program provides national direction and support to improve the performance of decentralized systems by promoting the concept of continuous management and facilitating professional standards of practice.

Septic systems serve approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population and about 40 percent of new developments. The U.S. Census Bureau has indicated that at least 10 percent of septic systems have stopped working. Some communities report failure rates as high as 70 percent! The goal of this program is to improve the performance of decentralized septic systems.

The Septic Systems program sponsors research on new septic system technologies and projects that demonstrate management programs, develops guidelines and general guidance, distributes technology information, provides materials to help educate the public, and coordinates a network of organizations associated with stakeholders in the septic system field to help educate communities about septic system management.

The majority of EPA's recent investment in the decentralized wastewater field has involved the funding of various types of demonstration projects. There are currently about $35.6 million worth of projects located in more than 25 states that demonstrate technologies, management programs, education and training programs, and other activities.