Research website: septic.umn.edu/research
Education

2/07 – 8/15University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

Ph.D. in Water Resource Science

Emphasis: Treatment of High Strength Wastewater from Milk House Wastewater

7/98 – 4/01University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

M. S. in Water Resource Science

Emphasis: Recirculating Sand Filters for Onsite Wastewater Treatment

9/94 - 6/98University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

B. S. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Emphasis: Environment

Areas of interest: septic systems, wastewater reuse, milkhouse wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion
Teaching: BBE4533 -Sustainable Waste Management Engineering

Current Grants

  • LCCMR Project - Understanding Impacts of Salt Usage on Minnesota Lakes, Rivers, and Groundwater, 2016 - 2019
  • LCCMR Project - Septic Tank Evaluation: Greenhouse Gas Collection and Nutrient Removal, 2014 - 2017
  • MnDOT Rest Stop Septic System Evaluation Grant, 2013-2019

Awards

  • 2003, 2006, 2010 Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association Outstanding Service Award
  • 2006 and 2007 Meritorious Service Award from the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association for role as chairperson of the education and training committee.

External Affiliations

  • Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
  • Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association
  • National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

Select Publications

1.Heger, S. F., D. Wheeler, D. Gustafson and M. Szmorlo. 2016. Septic System Evaluation at MnDOT Rest Stops, Truck Stations and Weigh Scales. Center for Transportation Studies. Report no. CTS 15-11B. Minneapolis, MN.

2.Heger, Sara. F. 2015. Evaluation of Four Milk House Wastewater Treatment Systems in Minnesota. University of Minnesota, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 3728228.

3.Heger, Sara. 2015. Community Septic Systems Owner’s Guide. National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Annual Conference Proceedings, Virginia Beach, VA.

  1. Wheeler, D. and S. Heger. 2015. Risk Assessment of Rest Stops in Minnesota. National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Annual Conference Proceedings, Virginia Beach, VA.
  2. Szmurlo, M., S. Heger, D. Wheeler, and D. Gustafson. 2014. Online Training Opportunities for Septic Professionals in Minnesota. In proceeding of NOWRA 23rd Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA.
  3. Waak, M. and S. Heger. 2014. Adult Care Facility Septic System Evaluation. In proceeding of NOWRA 23rd Annual Conference. Alexandria, VA.
  4. Heger, S. 2014. Milk house Improvement Estimator Users Guide. University of Minnesota, Water Resource Center. St. Paul, MN.
  5. 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.
  6. Janni, K. A., S. H. Christopherson (Heger) and D. R. Schmidt. 2009. Milkhouse Wastewater Flows and Characteristics for Small Dairy Operations. Applied Engineering in Agr., 25(3): 417‐423.
  7. Christopherson (Heger), S., Wheeler, D., Wittwer, J and T. Haeg. 2008. Field Evaluation of Rock versus Chamber Trench Systems. J. Hydrol. Eng., 13(6): 671-680.