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Help For Your Septic System
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Lil’Lesko showed us a great program in Nags Head, NC to help with the inspection and maintenance of septic systems, but that is only one program. There are tons across the country to help states, cities, towns, and individuals
with these systems to help keep our environment and drinking water clean. Read on to learn more. |
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Help For Nags Head
The Nags Head, NC Septic Health Initiative provides free septic inspections, small low interest loans for
repairs, provides assistance to make sure repairs are done properly, and teaches you how to main your septic
system. Contact them at
Septic Health Initiative,
Nags Head Town Hall,
P.O. Box 99,
Nags Head,
NC 27959;
252-449-6047;
http://www.townofnagshead.net/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC=%7BF43EBE1E-2B2D-
4F36-8182-0544F0BEEAD1%7D
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Application: NA
Income: up to $100,000
State: NC
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
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Know Your System | |
| The Natural Resources Conservation Service has a section titled "Your Septic."Section describes how
your septic system works, how they should be sited, and signs that your system may be failing. The resources they list
are for Montana, but it gives you an idea of when you need to call in the troops. Check out the publication at |
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http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/watersheds/galsourcebook/gscbk12.html Your local Cooperative Extension
Service should be able to provide you with more information. Your nearest office can be found at
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/ |
Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Other |
Contact:
http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/watersheds/galsourcebook/gscbk12.html
Application: NA |
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Be Good To Yourself And Your Neighbors |
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"After You Buy: Wells, Septic Systems, and a Healthy Homesite�" is a Fact Sheet published by the Washington County
(Oregon) Soil and Water Conservation District. It provides tips on how to test your water, and goes over the basics for
septic tanks. There is also a helpful section on Septic System Etiquette that lists what to avoid putting in your
septic system, and when you need to pump your tank. Check out the publication at |
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http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/fs19.pdf; |
Income: up to $100,000
State:All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Other
Contact:
http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/fs19.pdf
Application: NA |
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Home Repair Loans and Grants | |
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For very low income families who own homes in rural areas and which are in need of repair, the Home Repair Loan and
Grant Program offers loans and grants for renovation. Money may be provided, for example, to repair a leaking roof; to
replace a wood stove with central heating; to construct a front-door ramp for someone using a wheelchair; or to replace
an outhouse and pump with running water, a bathroom, and a waste disposal system. Homeowners 62 years and older are
eligible for home improvement grants. Other low income families and individuals receive loans at a 1% interest rate
directly from HCFP.
Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office,
U.S. Department of
Agriculture,
Room
5037,
South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250; 202-720-4323; |
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/indiv_sfh.htm#Home%20Repair%20Loan%20
and%20Grant%20Program%20(Section |
Income: up to $40,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Grant/Loan |
Contact:
Housing and Community Facilities Programs National Office,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Room 5037,
South Building,
14th Street and Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20250; 202-720-4323; |
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/indiv_sfh.htm#Home%20Repair%20Loan%20and
%20Grant%20Program%20(Section |
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Homeowner Help | |
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| Homeowners are very often responsible for maintaining their septic (onsite) wastewater treatment systems. Proper
system maintenance will help keep their system from malfunctioning and will help to maintain their investment in their
home. Homeowners can contact their state or local health department for more information about septic (onsite)
wastewater practices in your community at |
| http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/where.cfm
The EPA has several guidebooks and publications for homeowners concerning septic systems, including: |
| *Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems- |
http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf
*Homeowner Septic System Checklist- |
*Homeowner Septic System Checklist-
http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/septic_sticker.pdf
*Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Homeowner's Guide to Evaluating Service |
Contracts-
http://twri.tamu.edu/wqedu_pubs/B-6171.pdf
To learn more contact
Septic Systems Program,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Wastewater Management,
Municipal Support Division- 4202M,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW, Washington,
DC 20460; 202-564-0657;
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http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/septic.cfm?page_id=269#Homeowners
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Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Other
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Contact: To learn more contact
Septic Systems Program,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Wastewater
Management,
Municipal Support Division- 4202M,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW, Washington,
DC 20460; 202-564-0657;
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http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/septic.cfm?page_id=269#Homeowners
Application: NA
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Money For Big Projects |
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| A number of federal and state sources are available for funding septic (onsite) wastewater projects and
management. This EPA website offers some common funding sources that might be helpful. These are mainly for states,
cities, counties and other groups to improve septic system projects, but each program varies state to state.
Check it out at |
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http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/septic.cfm?page_id=272
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Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Loans/Grants
Contact:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/septic.cfm?page_id=272
Application: NA
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Need Money To Repair Your System? |
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| The Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection Web site is a searchable database of financial
assistance sources (grants, loans, cost-sharing) available to fund a variety of watershed protection projects. Criteria
searches include the type of organization (e.g., non-profit groups, private landowner, state, business), type of
assistance sought (grants or loans), and keywords (e.g., solid waste, wastewater). Searches result in a listing of
programs by name. Click on each program name to review detailed information on the funding source.
To conduct your search go to
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http://cfpub.epa.gov/fedfund/
Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Loans/Grants
Contact: http://cfpub.epa.gov/fedfund/
Application: NA
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Rural Utility Help |
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The Water and Environment Programs (WEP) provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer,
solid waste, and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. Public bodies,
non-profit organizations, and recognized Indian tribes may qualify for assistance. WEP also makes grants to nonprofit
organizations to provide technical assistance and training to assist rural communities with their water, wastewater, and
solid waste problems. In fact the money can be used to help communities finance construction of facilities like a sewer
system or even on-site systems so long as the facilities will be owned and operated by a public body. For more
information contact
Water and Environmental Programs,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rural Development Utilities
Programs,
1400 Independence Ave.,
SW, Washington,
DC 20250; 202-690-2670;
http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/regs.htm
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Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Grants/Loans
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Contact: For more information contact
Water and Environmental Programs,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rural
Development Utilities Programs,
1400 Independence Ave.,
SW, Washington,
DC 20250; 202-690-2670;
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http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/regs.htm
Application: NA |
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Free Septic Tank for Kentucky Homeowners | |
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| Low-income homeowners who need a septic system or sewer connection may qualify for a PRIDE Homeowner Septic System
Grant. The grant pays 100% of the cost for eligible homeowners to connect to a sewer line, if available, or to install a
septic system that has been approved by the local health department. The PRIDE grant application asks for:�"proof of
income, copy of the deed to the property, and copy of the electric bill. To find an office in your county that
administers the PRIDE program, go to: |
http://www.kypride.org/grantprograms/septic.php#ADD_and_RC&D_Offices .
For all other questions, contact:
PRIDE,
The Center for Rural Development,
2292 South Highway 27,
Somerset, KY 42501;
606-677-6150 or 888-577-4339;
Fax: 606-677-6055;
http://www.kypride.org/grantprograms/septic.php
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Income: up to $12,210 for a family of 4
State: KY
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Grant
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Contact: For all other questions,
contact: PRIDE, The Center for Rural Development,
2292 South Highway 27,
Somerset, KY 42501;
606-677-6150 or 888-577-4339;
Fax: 606-677-6055;
http://www.kypride.org/grantprograms/septic.php
Application:
http://www.kypride.org/grantprograms/grantforms.php
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$25,000 to Repair Sewage System in Pennsylvania | |
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The On-lot Funding Program offers assistance that is available to eligible homeowners who do not have access to a
public sewage system and need to repair or replace their individual on-lot sewage disposal system. Assistance is in the
form of loans at an interest rate of 1%. The maximum loan amount is $25,000. Eligibility is as follows: good credit
standing, meet project type and project location requirements, include all project costs and have the correct
documentation for the project. Contact:
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency,
PO Box 8029,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8029;
717-780-3871;
http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/pennvest.aspx
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Income: up to $73,394 per family
State: PA
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type:Loan
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Contact:
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency,
PO Box 8029, Harrisburg,
PA 17105-8029; 717-780-3871;
http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/pennvest.aspx
Application: Your first step should be to contact a PENNVEST Participating Lender (
http://www.phfa.org/forms/participating_lenders/pennvest_lenders.pdf) to see if you qualify for a loan.
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Up to $35,000 to Install/Repair Septic and Well Systems | |
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The Keystone Renovate & Repair Loan Program (R&R loan) can be used to pay for repairs and improvements that
increase the basic livability of the home, including additions and construction, that makes the home safer, more energy
efficient, or more accessible to people with disabilities or people who are elderly. R&R loans can also be used to remove
or fix code violations, hook up to municipal water and sewer systems, and improve or install code-compliant septic or
well systems. In addition, R&R loans can be a source of payment for emergency repairs to critical life-safety systems
in the homes, as long as the loan application is made to the Local Program Administrator within 30 days of the repair.
Homeowners can borrow up to a maximum of $35,000 or 120% of the home's value for approved home repairs or renovations
(minimum of $2,500).
To learn more, contact:
Pennsylvania Finance Agency; 800-822-1174; |
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http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/renovate_repair/ To check Income Eligibility go to
http://www.phfa.org/forms/renovate_and_repair/documents/income_limits.pdf
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Income: up to $90,000
State: PA
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Loan
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| Contact: To learn more, contact: Pennsylvania Finance Agency; 800-822-1174;
http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/renovate_repair/
Application: To apply for a loan you should contact a Local Program Administrator in your area:
http://www.phfa.org/applications/lpa_participants.aspx
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Massachusetts Has 4 Programs to Help Septic Owners | |
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| The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection provides four programs to assist system owners with
wastewater management problems:
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| Betterments:
A Betterment is a Financial Agreement between a homeowner and the community. Communities may provide long-term,
low-cost financing to homeowners, for the repair, replacement, or upgrade of failed septic systems by providing
Betterment Loans. To learn more about how a Betterment Loan works, see:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/betters.htm
Application: If you are interested, contact your local Board of Health for more information:
http://www.mhoa.com/roster.htm |
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| Tax Credits:
Any owner of a Massachusetts residential property who occupies the property as his or her
principal residence is allowed a tax credit for the expenses incurred in the repair or replacement of a failed cesspool
or septic system. The maximum amount of the credit that may be claimed in any tax year is $1,500. The maximum amount of
the credit that may be claimed in total is $6,000. For more information on the specific qualification criteria, you
should contact the Department of Revenue at 617-887-MDOR or go to:
http://www.massdor.com/help/guides/abate_amend/personal/issues/titlev.htm
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Mass Housing Finance Agency (MHFA): MHFA offers low-cost financing up to $25,000 to those who qualify through the Homeowner Septic Repair Loan Program. For more information contact MHFA at 617-723-0500 or see:
http://www.masshousing.com/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_986_0_0_18/
SepticRepairLoanBrochure.pdf
Application: Septic System Repair Loans are originated by participating lender:
https://www.masshousing.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=313&parentname
=CommunityPage&parentid=7&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true |
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Federal Farmers Home Administration (FHA): FHA offers low-cost financing to those who qualify.
For more information contact FHA:
multi-family home: 202-708-2495 or single-family home: 202-708-3175.
Income: up to $100,000
State: MA
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Loans
Contact: For more information contact FHA: multi-family home: 202-708-2495 or single-family home: 202-708-3175.
Application: NA |
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Full Funding to Repair or Replace Your Septic System | |
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The Catskill Watershed Corporation Septic System Rehabilitation and Replacement Program reimburses permanent
residents 100% of eligible costs of repairing or replacing a failed septic system. Non-primary residents are
reimbursed 60% of eligible costs. To be eligible for this funding, your septic system must be within 150 feet of a
watercourse or within 500 feet of a reservoir or reservoir stem in the West-of-Hudson watershed.
However, homeowners who meet income requirements may qualify for hardship assistance from the CWC,
whether or not their property lies within an eligible
area. Note: This is not for new septic systems in new construction homes. To learn more:
The Catskill Watershed
Corporation,
PO Box 569,
Main Street, Margaretville,
NY 12455; 845-586-1400;
http://www.cwconline.org/programs/septic/rehab.html
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Income: up to $100,000
State: NY
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Service
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Contact: To learn more:
The Catskill Watershed Corporation,
PO Box 569,
Main Street, Margaretville,
NY 12455; 845-586-1400;
http://www.cwconline.org/programs/septic/rehab.html
Application: NA
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Money To Help You Repair Your System | |
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The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a low-interest or no-interest source of funding for the
installation, repair, and upgrading of decentralized wastewater systems in small-town, rural, and suburban areas.
Projects that may be eligible for funding include new system installation to correct an existing nonpoint source
problem, replacement, upgrade, or modification of inadequate or failing systems, or other projects. Each state
administers it own CWSRF program differently, but you can contact your state to see what they offer at
http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cesrf/index.htm
To learn more contact
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Branch,
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
1201 Constitution Ave.,
NW (Mailcode 4202M), Washington,
DC 2004; 202-564-0752;
http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/index.htm |
Income: up to $100,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Housing
Money Type: Loan
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Contact: To learn more contact
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Branch,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
1201 Constitution Ave., NW (Mailcode 4202M), Washington, DC 2004; 202-564-0752;
http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/index.htm"
Application: NA
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