A Septic Tank for the State Fair

With an estimated attendance of 730,000, the Indiana State Fair is one of the highest profile events in Indianapolis every summer. And after the beer gardens, 4-H activities, deep-fried cookie dough and midway rides, one of the popular fixtures at the fair are the environmental exhibits common throughout the fairgrounds.

2016 Indiana State Fair septic tank model

For the past 20 years, the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit has taught fair visitors about the water and soil of Indiana, and the importance of protecting these critical natural resources. This year, there was a scale model of a precast concrete septic tank along that pathway, thanks to Denise Wright of the Indiana State Department of Health. She proposed the idea to the Pathways Steering Committee about including a septic system model.

2016 Indiana State Fair septic tank display

2016 Indiana State Fair septic tank model drawing

Wright invited NPCA to participate in this year’s state fair to help educate visitors about septic systems. Claude Goguen, P.E., NPCA director of sustainability and technical education, worked with Gary Struben, a soil scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, to design the display. The model design was a cutaway of a septic tank that measured about 3 feet by 5 feet. S & M Precast, an NPCA certified plant in Henryville, Ind., volunteered to produce and deliver the tank at no cost. Department of Health staff painted the tank to show its various parts once it was installed at the fairgrounds.

“We are very proud to have contributed to such a great display,” Goguen said. “Special thanks to Becky and Ray Graf of S & M Precast for being so helpful and producing an awesome tank.”