Reducing Non-Point Source Nitrogen Loads from Residential Septic Systems: Identifying Barriers and Opportunities for Large-Scale Water Quality Improvements

Residential septic systems are a primary source of nitrogen loading to nearby water bodies which can negatively impact water quality. Collaborating with researchers at University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, and University of Miami, this interdisciplinary project will develop a generalizable framework and integrated, spatially-explicit economic-behavioral-hydrological model to inform the design and targeting of programs to reduce Long Island Sound non-point source nitrogen loads from residential onsite wastewater treatment systems. This work will significantly advance public understanding of opportunities and barriers to reduction of nitrogen from residential parcels, provide a tool that predicts household adoption of alternative onsite wastewater treatment technologies under alternative programs and scenarios, and identify how programs can be optimally designed for cost-effective nitrogen-load reduction. The framework and tool will be illustrated via an application to coastal counties and municipalities within the Long Island Sound watershed, and will be generalizable to other regions.