RME PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Properly managing decentralized Innovative/Alternative (I/A) septic systems involves implementing a series of elements and activities over these systems’ life-cycles. To manage these systems so they meet health and environmental goals, an RME program encompasses thirteen elements critical to caring for these systems, including education and participation, planning, design and construction, operation and maintenance, residuals management, among others. Each of these program elements is made up of a set of activities to be implemented. The RME program is designed to be flexible, so these elements and activities can be substituted, modified, or omitted from an RME program in order to best meet the unique watershed management and health goals of different municipalities, ensuring a customized approach to decentralized I/A system management.

This table provides a comprehensive list of elements and activities the RME can offer. Each of these elements and activities are described in the topics below.