SPRING 2026

YOWA NEWSLETTER

YOWA

WELCOME MESSAGE

YOWA is pleased to bring you our Spring 2026 issue, which is packed full of industry and association news.

Scroll down to read a recap of a recent NOWRA/RCAP training, an interview with Health Director Amy Donovan-Palmer, an article on closing the wastewater gap in rural America, and much more!

Regional Title 5 Contacts

As onsite wastewater professionals, we know that the local health department is always the first stop for questions about how best to implement Title 5. There are times, however, when the local health inspector needs to speak with their relevant DEP regional staff to get clarity on a matter which might be unfamiliar. As a service to YOWA members, we have compiled contact information for the DEP regional staff so you can have this information handy.

Click this link to access the document of Regional Title 5 contacts.

Save the Date and Submit an Abstract!

October 28 - 30, 2026

MassMutual Center - Springfield, MA

The Massachusetts Health Officers Association (MHOA) Annual Conference delivers a robust wastewater track with CEUs provided.

The call for abstracts is currently open. YOWA members are encouraged to submit a topic or presentation for the Wastewater Track.

The deadline to submit an abstract is April 17, 2026.

Conference registration & session information will be available soon!

YOWA will reach back out once registration is live.

Join a YOWA Committee!

The Yankee Onsite Wastewater Association (YOWA) is New England’s premier professional society for anyone passionate about advancing onsite system design, installation, operation, research, and management. Whether you want to grow your skills, connect with experts, or shape the future of the industry, YOWA is the place to be.

YOWA thrives through the dedication of our members—just like you! Your involvement in any of our three committees could make a real impact. Our meetings are both in-person and virtual, and any level of participation is welcome. Reach out to YOWA at 781-939-5710 or yankeeonsite@gmail.com, or simply fill out the online form to get started.

Explore the Committees:

Education Committee – Help plan and host engaging in-person and virtual trainings that advance the skills and knowledge of onsite wastewater practitioners across New England.
Communications Committee – Be the voice of YOWA! Contribute to our newsletter, keep the website fresh and informative, and share timely updates with members on special topics of interest. Outreach is one of YOWA’s primary goals.
Membership Committee – Grow our community! Recruit new members, welcome newcomers, and help strengthen YOWA’s network across the region. We are looking for seasoned industry experts as well as emerging professionals.

Join us and help shape the future of onsite wastewater in New England! Your expertise, ideas, and energy can make a real difference in this dynamic and essential field.

Academic Research Presentation Scholarship

YOWA is pleased to announce a new Academic Research Presentation Scholarship designed to support students and early-career researchers studying onsite wastewater systems. The scholarship provides up to $2,000 to help cover registration, travel, and lodging for a researcher whose paper has been accepted for presentation at the Mega Conference hosted by the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) this October in Westminster, CO.

LEARN MORE

Interview with Health Director, Amy Donovan-Palmer

In this regular newsletter segment, we will be interviewing local Health Directors to inform our readers about health departments throughout our region, the challenges they encounter, advice for our profession, and how YOWA helps them do their job.

This issue's column features an interview with Amy Donovan-Palmer, Health Director for the town of Mansfield, MA.

YOWA is Looking for Your Feedback

The Education Committee is responsible for planning and developing content for trainings and technical events. To better inform the planning of these events and ensure we are effectively serving our membership, the committee is asking members to provide some feedback about event formats and topics by taking a brief survey.

COMPLETE SURVEY

NOWRA/RCAP Solutions for Difficult Onsite Wastewater Systems Recap

On January 6–7, the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) delivered a two‑day training, Solutions for Difficult Onsite Wastewater Systems. This training was held in partnership with RCAP Solutions. YOWA Board Member and RCAP Technical Assistance Provider Rebekah Novak provides a synopsis of this event.

NOWRA Mega-Conference 2026: Save the Date!

The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) Mega-Conference is just around the corner—and you won’t want to miss it. This premier event brings together industry professionals from across the country for cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and the latest innovations in onsite wastewater treatment.

Closing the Wastewater Gap in Rural America

YOWA knows that communities across New England have a wide range of onsite wastewater challenges. In our effort to get help for those with problems in need of attention we wanted to share a federal resource assistance program which could be beneficial. Click the button below to learn more.

yankeeonsite@gmail.com