Sara Heger

Sara Heger smiling and has long curly hair, she is posed in front of a white background
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Research Associate
She/her
[email protected]
+1 612 625 7243
173 McNeal Hall

1985 Buford Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
United States

Water Resources Center Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
Education
  • She has BS in Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering and a PhD in Water Resource Science all from the University of Minnesota.

Areas of Interest

Waste Treatment

Biography

Dr. Sara Heger is a researcher and instructor in the Onsite Sewage Treatment Program in the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota. Since 1999, she has been providing education and technical assistance to homeowners, small communities, onsite professionals and local units of government regarding onsite wastewater treatment. Sara coordinates the research program at the UMN and is currently, serving as the principal investigator on projects evaluation wastewater treatment and rest areas and developing training related to the land application of industrial wastewater. Heger is on the faculty of the Water Resources Science program, teaching Sustainable Waste Management Engineering. She presents at many local and national training events regarding the design, installation and management of septic systems and related research. Sara is the president of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA). Sara serves on the NSF International Committee on Wastewater Treatment Systems. She is also the chair of the Minnesota State Advisory Committee on Decentralized Systems.

Teaching

  • BBE 4533

Research

  • Investigating Wastewater Reuse at MnDOT Truck Stations
  • Analysis of On-Site Septic Treatment Systems CEC Treatment Efficacy
  • Groundwater mound with septic systems
  • Chemicals of Emerging Concern Movement and Treatment with Septic Systems and related education programing.
  • MPCA Type V Operator Training Curriculum Development
  • Chloride Use, Mitigation and Management
  • Treatment of Milkhouse Wastewater

Select Publications

  • Overbo, A., Heger. S., and Gulliver, J. 2020. Evaluation of Chloride Contributions from Major Point and Nonpoint Sources in a Norther U.S. State. Science of the Total Environment 764 (144179).
  • Heger, S.F., D.R. Schmidt and K.A. Janni. 2010. Aerobic and Media Filter Treatment Systems for Milk House Wastewater on Small Dairy Operations. Applied Engineering in Agr. 26(2): 319‐327.
  • 3. Distel, J., Heger, S. and S. Larson. 2019. Analysis of Contaminants of Emerging Concern with On-site wastewater treatment systems – year 1. National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Annual Conference Proceedings, Loveland, CO.

Honors and Awards

  • 2013-2018 NOWRA Education Committee Chair Appreciate Award.
  • 2003, 2006, 2010 Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association Outstanding Service Award.