MSU Extension Septic System Education

Water rules! Dispersal and treatment of wastewater in an onsite system is directly related to how water – clean or contaminated – moves through the soil. Appreciation for this is critical to an evaluation of the soil/site and must be incorporated into the design of the system. This talk will consider how water moves – saturated and unsaturated – in the soil on a micro (pores) to macro (landscape) scale. A consideration of the role of the biomat will be included.  Additionally, several examples of how a lack of understanding of water movement has resulted in subpar system performance.

How often have you heard (or said it) the line “these features are relict and can be ignored”? Does this mean the soil is lying?  This talk will examine what features and properties in the soil mean and how to interpret them to get the most out of a soil and site evaluation.  The goal is to improve the matching of the system to the soil and site conditions.

Session Description Coming Soon

Biography: 

Dr. Lindbo is the Former Director, Soil and Plant Science Division, USDA-NRCS. He received a BS and MS from Univ. of NH, and a MS and PhD from Univ. of Mass. His career focused on soil survey, land use soils relations including soil interpretations, hydric soils, wastewater and related issues.  He has worked extensively with K12 students and teachers on soils and land use education. He has authored/co-authored numerous research and extension publications including practitioner training materials related to decentralized wastewater, low impact development issues, hydric soils and hydropedology as well as a general interest soil book for young children “Soil! Get the Inside Scoop” and an advanced book “Know Soil, Know Life”.  He was the United States representative to the UN-FAO Global Soil Partnership. He has given over 200 invited presentations (including NPR’s Science Friday and at the United Nations) and taught well over 10,000 professionals in his array of extension courses.