The National Park Service Could Improve Management of Wastewater Systems by Remediating Public Health Deficiencies and Updating Inventories and Policies

Date Issued

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Submitting OIG

Department of the Interior OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of the Interior

Report Number

2023-CR-026

Report Description

NPS generally manages its wastewater systems effectively but has opportunities for improvement.

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Link

Open Recommendations

This report has 6 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
2023-CR-026-01	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS develop and implement a policy that requires park units to respond to public health assessments, including planned corrective actions and interim mitigation of all level 4 and 5 deficiencies.
2023-CR-026-02	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS develop and implement a mechanism for tracking and remediating wastewater system deficiencies and public health recommendations reported in Office of Public Health assessments.
2023-CR-026-03	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS require park units to inventory all backcountry pit privies.
2023-CR-026-04	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS determine whether any backcountry pit privies qualify as large-capacity cesspools and close them as required.
2023-CR-026-05	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS develop procedures to periodically inventory backcountry pit privies and determine if they are large-capacity cesspools and should be closed.
2023-CR-026-06	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS update its policies to require park units to develop procedures for each advanced wastewater system requiring a certified wastewater operator.