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A nine-member expert panel assisted the author in identifying important elements for success in onsite wastewater management. A study of five communities that have successfully managed onsite wastewater treatment systems for at least 20 years was conducted to develop a model for success. Each community was studied through interviews with leaders, staff, customers and local wastewater treatment professionals. Local media, reports and correspondence were also utilized. The model recognizes two critical phases with different necessary elements. The two phases are forming and sustaining a successful management entity. Each phase exhibited different critical elements for success. Forming a successful management entity involved resource protection, strategic and empathic thinking of leaders who were creative in searching for appropriate, existing legal authority, and communicated with residents. Sustaining a successful management entity involved creative problem solving by strategic and empathic thinking staff, dependable financing and useful record keeping.