NEWS
PA Sewage Advisory Committee Workgroup Meetings
The Sewage Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet to discuss the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) draft proposed revisions to 25 Pa. Code Chapters 71—73 (relating to administration of sewage facilities planning program;...
PSMA Inspector Town Hall – June 2025
On June 3, 2025, PSMA held an Inspectors’ Town Hall meeting virtually with the PSMA Education Committee. The updates made in the 2025 PSMA Inspection Standards were covered along with info about the PSMA certification process. Worth 1 SR1 CEU (self-reported). Free for members. Watch Now
PSMA Publishes 2025 Summer-Fall Training Schedule
PSMA has released its calendar of training courses for the Summer & Fall of 2025. The planned courses include: July 22-23: 101 Basic Inspection Certification (West Chester) September 23-24: 101 Basic Inspection Certification (Williamsport) September 23-24: 102...
PSMA Endorsement Course for Maryland Inspectors
In 2022, Maryland created a licensing requirement for onsite wastewater system inspectors conducting a property transfer inspection in the state of Maryland. This licensing requirement stipulates that inspectors successfully complete approved training. In prior years,...
Residual Food Processing Waste Hauler Bills Voted Out of Committee
Two bills dealing with residual food processing waste haulers were voted out of committee in April. HB 586, introduced by Representative Paul Friel (D-Chester), was voted out of the House Environmental Resources and Natural Resources Protection Committee. An amendment that was drafted by Pennsylvania agriculture was not able to be offered, even though the prime […]
Pre-Draft Sewage Facilities Regulations Released to SAC
(March 24, 2025) PA’s Department of Environmental Protection has released its pre-draft versions of the sewage facility regulations (i.e., Chapters 71-73) to the Sewage Advisory Committee. The pre-drafts will (eventually) be posted on the public SAC...
Annual Report Filing for Pennsylvania Businesses
Pennsylvania Business Owners: You must file an Annual Report starting in 2025. Know the requirements and deadlines. On November 3, 2022, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 122 of 2022. Among the many changes made by this legislation, Act 122 created an annual reporting...
2025 PSMA Inspection Standards Released
Every three years, PSMA's Education Committee reviews and makes necessary updates to its set of inspection standards for onsite wastewater treatment systems in Pennsylvania. The current iteration of the Standards (2025) has been approved by PSMA's Board of Directors...
Looking to Get More Involved with PSMA?
Are you a current member of PSMA and looking for a way to get more involved in your industry? Volunteering with PSMA is a great way for you to give back to the onsite wastewater community as well as gain more exposure within our industry. PSMA is seeking individuals...
Register for PSMA’s 2025 Spring Training Inspector Certification Courses
PSMA will be holding its 2025 Annual Spring Training Event on March 25-26, 2025, at the Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA! Wastewater professionals can register today for the 101 Basic Inspector, 102 Advanced Inspector, 103 Experienced Inspector, and SR1 Refresher Inspector...
DEP Invites Comments On Draft Manual For Land Treatment Of Onlot Septic System Wastewater
The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a draft Manual For Land Treatment Of Wastewater Technical Guidance [DEP ID: 385-2188-006]. (formal notice) The draft Manual contains guidance for project applicants and their consultants in the planning, siting, design, installation, operation and maintenance of wastewater land treatment systems that are not permitted by a Sewage Enforcement […]
Pre-Draft “Technical Decision Making” Guidance Document
At its September 2024 meeting, the PA DEP Sewage Advisory Committee (SAC) received a second predraft version of the Department’s Technical Decision Making (TDM) Guidance for Onlot Sewage System Repair Situations (download as Word Doc from SAC website). The SAC is planning a Sub-Committee meeting to discuss the TDM predraft. In its effort to provide a response, PSMA is […]
NAWT’s 2025 Hapchuk Scholarship
NAWT's 2025 William Hapchuk Memorial Scholarship is awarded to two individuals every year to help with their higher education endeavors. The 2025 Hapchuk Scholarship Eligibility Requirements Must be enrolled in an accredited university offering a bachelor degree in...
GREASE TRAP TAX EXEMPTION SIGNED INTO LAW
On July 11, 2024, Senate Bill 654 (Bartolotta-R-Beaver/Greene/Washinton) was signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro as Act 56 of 2024. This law marks a multi-year effort by PSMA since 2015 to gain an exemption from the state Sales Tax for cleaning and/or maintenance of a (grease) storage trap used by a food service or […]
PSMA Inspection Standards Update
PSMA reviews & updates its Inspection Standards every three years. The PSMA Education Committee is beginning its review of the current 2022 Inspection Standards as part of the upcoming 2025 update. The Committee is soliciting input from PSMA members & certified inspectors on what changes may be needed to improve the quality or clarity of […]
Spring Training Location Changed
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to a water/sewer main break at the Holiday Inn Grantville, PSMA’s Spring Training HAS BEEN RE-LOCATED to the Best Western Premium, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111; hotel phone: 717-561-2800; hotel website:...
Register for PSMA’s 2024 Spring Training Inspector Certification Courses
PSMA will be holding its 2024 Annual Spring Training Event on March 26-27, 2024, at the Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA! Wastewater professionals can register today for the 101 Basic Inspector, 102 Advanced Inspector, 103 Experienced Inspector, and SR1 Refresher Inspector...
2024 Onsite Wastewater SUPER Conference of PA
TWO STATEWIDE CONFERENCES IN ONE! The PA Septage Management Association (PSMA) will be joining with the PA Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers (PASEO) to offer a joint conference & trade show on February 4-6, 2024, in Harrisburg, PA! The Onsite Wastewater...
PSMA Education Committee Meeting
The PSMA Education Committee will be conducting its monthly meeting at 5:00pm on the first Tuesday of the month via Zoom. Access details & meeting materials will be emailed to committee members prior to the meeting.
PSMA Executive Committee
The PSMA Executive Committee will be conducting its monthly meeting at 11:00am on the third Tuesday of the month via Zoom. Access details & meeting materials will be emailed to committee members prior to the meeting.