Homeowners, do you have your own septic tank? When was the last time you had it pumped or checked? Do you know how well it is working?
As a homeowner, it is in your best interest and beneficial to local streams and groundwater to maintain your system, and the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District is here to help.
Culpeper Soil and Water recently received additional funding for its residential septic cost-share program for eligible areas in Culpeper, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties. Previously, this program was limited to certain watersheds, but now all five counties can benefit.
The program focuses on reducing existing or potential impacts to local groundwater and surface water quality. Some local streams have long been found to have higher levels of E. coli bacteria than expected by state water quality standards, although other contaminants, particularly nutrients, may also be involved. An additional benefit to the property owner is peace of mind knowing their system is up to standards and functioning properly. It’s a win-win for water quality and property value.
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If you have not had your septic tank pumped in the last five years and you live in this county, you are eligible to do so now. Simply having your septic tank pumped and inspected is the best insurance for maintaining a functioning system.
The program offers a 50% reimbursement for each occupied home and up to 80% for low-income households.
The amount of the cost-sharing payments is:
- Pumping: 50% of the cost or a maximum of $225 (up to $360 for low-income individuals)
- Pumping and inspection: 50% of the costs or a maximum of $3,250 (up to $5,200 for low-income individuals)
- Repair: 50% of the costs or a maximum of $3,750 (up to $6,000 for low-income individuals)
- Conventional system: 50% of costs or a maximum of $6,250 (up to $10,000 low income)
- Conventional system with pump: 50% of the costs or a maximum of $8,250 (up to $13,200 for low-income individuals)
- Technical/alternative system: 50% of the costs or a maximum of $15,750 (up to $25,200 for low-income individuals)
- Connection to the public sewer system: 50% of costs or a maximum of $6,250 (up to $10,000 low income)
- Connection to the sewer system with pump: 50% of the costs or a maximum of $10,250 (up to $16,400 for low-income earners)
Pumping out with inspection extends the life of a system and prevents higher costs later on in the event of system failure. If pumping out and inspection require further repairs, the owner is still eligible for additional repair payments.
Applications are required and must be approved prior to work being performed or funding may be denied. The District provides free assistance with the initial assessment of individual system needs. Reimbursement payments are made promptly after work is completed. The program is entirely voluntary and the District’s assistance is free.
For more information about the program, call 540/948-7531 or 540/825-8591. Funding for these projects was secured by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District and the Environmental Protection Agency through the Non Point Source Program of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia.
