Despite extensive Federal programs that have dramatically increased the number of people served by public sewers over the past few decades, local governments will face the challenge to maximize the service lives of existing onsite wastewater disposal systems. In 1978, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated a study that had the following objectives: inventory existing operating management experiences; describe history, functional effectiveness, and cost of case study programs; summarize issues, problems, constraints, and program strengths; define and evaluate a range of management alternatives and program requirements; and recommend procedures for selection and implementation of management arrangements. Eighteen case studies (9 local and 9 state) were selected. Evaluating these programs yielded several basic issues that were common to all management programs, including the four primary functions: planning, design, construction, and operation/maintenance.