MORGANTOWN, WV, November 27, 2001 — The National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) maintains six databases that provide information about all aspects of sewage treatment.
Two of these databases can now be searched online at http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_databases.htm : the Bibliographic and Manufacturers and Consultants Databases.
The Bibliographic Database stores thousands of articles dealing with onsite and small community wastewater collection, treatment, disposal, and related topics. The articles are collected from more than 90 journals and magazines, as well as conference proceedings, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents, and research papers.
Customers can search for a particular technology and receive the latest literature on the subject. For example, a homeowner with questions about a clogged drainfield can obtain articles about successful techniques as well as methods that have failed.
The Manufacturers and Consultants Database houses a list of industry contacts for wastewater products and consulting services. This database serves both as a reference for engineers, private citizens, and small community officials and a referral database for wastewater products and trade items.
Currently, the database contains more than 1,200 entries. Customers can search for a specific type of manufacturer or consultant, and searches can be conducted based upon one or more product or service categories. For instance, a homeowner interested in purchasing a composting toilet can obtain a list of product manufacturers.
Other NSFC databases include information about:
* approximately 1,000 facilities using conventional, innovative, and alternative wastewater treatment technologies;
* regulations for onsite wastewater systems in 48 states;
* contacts and referrals (a list of organizations involved in onsite and small community wastewater infrastructure at the national, state, and local levels); and
* health departments and other local or regional agencies that serve as the local permitting and inspection authority for onsite systems in all states.
Presently, these databases are not online. However, readers may call the NSFC at the numbers below to request a search. An NSFC technical assistant will discuss the results with readers to generate a list of desired contacts or other information as appropriate.
Located at West Virginia University, the NSFC is a nonprofit organization funded by the EPA to provide free and low-cost information about wastewater treatment options for small communities and individual homeowners. For more information, visit their Web site at http://www.nsfc.wvu.edu or call (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191.
