by Brianna Crandall — April 21, 2017 — The International Code Council (ICC) and National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) recently announced an agreement to co-publish the International Private Sewage Disposal Code (IPSDC). The IPSDC addresses the best practices and technologies to ensure the safety and welfare of communities, individuals, and businesses that utilize their own onsite wastewater solutions. Currently adopted within 17 states and by 102 jurisdictions, the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as in Abu Dhabi, the IPSDC is quickly becoming the primary resource for communities that wish to implement safe, affordable private sewage disposal solutions, says ICC.
Through leveraging the combined expertise of ICC’s and NOWRA’s memberships, the collaborative effort on the IPSDC will facilitate the use of the latest science-based best practices and innovative technologies in safely handling onsite, decentralized wastewater, thereby reducing customers’ costs. The IPSDC addresses inconsistencies within many regulations that dictate how decentralized systems can be designed, installed, and operated.
A leader in educating and representing members within the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry, NOWRA’s members include contractors, service providers, designers, engineers, soil scientists, manufacturers, suppliers and others involved in the protection of water resources and the environment.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO, stated:
All members are critical contributors to ICC’s code development process for future editions of the IPSDC. The NOWRA organization and membership involved in the code development process of the IPSDC will ensure the latest technologies are included in future versions of the code.
ICC Board of Directors President M. Dwayne Garriss explained:
Decentralized solutions are not only acceptable but, in many cases, the preferable means for effectively and efficiently handling wastewater. These systems can sustainably serve single homes, neighborhoods, and entire communities, including commercial and industrial facilities.
NOWRA Board of Directors President Jim Bell commented:
NOWRA is pleased to collaborate with ICC on development of the next version of the IPSDC. This agreement will help local and state jurisdictions ensure that their own regulations encompass the greatest advances in the science and technology of onsite and decentralized wastewater treatment. We believe the IPSDC will speed up technology transfer and lower costs to the consumer by encouraging modernization and greater regulatory consistency between regulations at both the local and state levels.
The code development cycle for the 2018 IPSDC is complete, and the latest issue will be available through the ICC Store or the NOWRA Web site in 2017. Communities looking for more information to adopt the IPSDC meanwhile can contact Sara Yerkes, ICC Senior Vice President of Government Relations, at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 6247 or by email at syerkes@iccsafe.org.
