The promotional graphic for Tap Talk episode #55, featuring a photo of guest Sara Heger; and a quote from Sara: "The operation of a septic system starts with what you put down the drain. You really can negatively impact your system and potentially the environment.".

Tap Talk: A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry

ByLaura Schultz

Since 2021, the team that runs DecentralizedWastewater.org, PrivateWellClass.org, and WaterOperator.org has also produced a podcast centered on protecting public health and the water industry. Tap Talk, also known as the the Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast, connects professionals across the drinking water community with ideas to extend and enhance water work. The podcast is a collaboration between the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the University of Illinois, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The show is hosted by Steve and Jennifer Wilson of the Illinois State Water Survey. Episodes of past seasons have primarily focused on municipal water treatment and private well-related topics.

We recently kicked off the seventh season of Tap Talk, beginning with the shows 73rd episode: “Behind the Scenes of Water and Environment Reporting” with Associated Press water reporter Michael Phillis. However, today we want to dip into our episode archives and suggest that you go back to our 55th episode from February 2025, where we welcomed Dr. Sara Heger, a decentralized industry expert and researcher, on to the show for our very first septic-centered episode.

In “A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry,” Dr. Heger gives a comprehensive introduction to progress made, needs, and issues in the septic and decentralized realm over the course of a nearly hour-long conversation with Steve and Jennifer. Next week, our teams are excited to welcome Dr. Heger to our 2026 Private Well Conference, where she will be giving the presentation “Tools to Educate Property Owners and Professionals on Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.” For those unable to join us in Missoula for the conference, we will make the recording of Dr. Heger’s presentation available later this summer. In the meantime, be sure to give this episode of Tap Talk a thorough listen!

Listen through the audio player below, or, find Tap Talk on audio services such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, or Audible.

You can also check out our second septic-centered episode, from last fall: “Exploring Septic System Best Practices for SepticSmart Week 2025,” featuring guests Jim Starbard and Andrew Evans.

Topics Discussed

  • Meet Sara Heger | LinkedIn
  • Sara’s Water Heroes:
    • Her father, a farmer who cared for his land sustainably and encouraged her to be an engineer
    • Lori Frekot, a former coworker and mentor at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • What is NOWRA?
  • How much does the typical homeowner know about their septic system? What do they need to know?
  • Are septic professionals getting the training they need as systems get more advanced?
  • Safety issues posed by more modern designs of septic systems
    • The movement for regulation requiring double lids
  • The variability of regulations for septic systems in different states as well as training requirements for professionals
  • Where is the industry heading?
  • NOWRA’s Homeowner Training Materials
  • Connect with the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center & Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
  • Connect with the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

“The operation of a septic system starts with what you put down the drain. You really can negatively impact your system and potentially the environment.”

Sara Heger

Go Further

You’re invited to discuss the episode in our LinkedIn Group. If you decide to share on Twitter, please use the hashtag #TapTalkPodcast. And, of course, make sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Guest

Dr. Sara Heger is a researcher and instructor at the University of Minnesota in the Onsite Sewage Treatment Program in the Water Resources Center. She conducts research and provides education & technical assistance to homeowners, small communities, onsite professionals, and local units of government regarding decentralized wastewater treatment. She also coordinates the research program at the university focusing on issues related to decentralized wastewater, chlorides, and milk house process water. Sara has served as president of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, on the NSF International Committee on Wastewater Treatment Systems, and Minnesota’s SSTS Advisory Committee.

She holds a BS in Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering as well as a MS and PhD in Water Resource Science, all from the University of Minnesota.