Residents eligible for septic repair reimbursements | Environment

Through the end of September, all residents of the Upper Hazel River basin are entitled to reimbursement of 50 to 80 percent of the cost of pumping, maintaining, repairing, and replacing any wastewater treatment plant on the property.

The Upper Hazel River watershed encompasses the parts of Rappahannock County that flow into either the Rush, Covington, Thornton, Hazel, or Hughes Rivers, the western flank of Culpeper County along the Hazel River upstream of the confluence of the Hazel and Thornton Rivers, and the very north Section of Madison County that flows into the Hughes River through the Popham Run.

The Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) scholarship program continues funding to reduce bacterial pollution in local streams. The grants focus on reducing existing and potential impacts on local ground and surface water quality.

The levels of E. coli bacteria in some local streams have long been classified as higher than expected by state water quality standards. Water treatment plant maintenance benefits property owners as they have the peace of mind that their system is up to standards and working properly – it’s a win-win for both water quality and property value.

Program participants are entitled to different payments depending on the real needs of their systems. Reimbursements usually cover 50 percent of the costs, but can be up to 80 percent depending on the proven need.

Applications are required and must be approved before the work is done or funding may be refused. Free support with an initial assessment of individual system requirements is available from the district. The reimbursement payments will be made shortly after the completion of the work. The program is completely voluntary and support from the district is free.

This program, which has been in operation for 14 years, is expected to expire on September 30, 2021. There will be a follow-up grant, but it is geographically limited and not available for much of the Upper Hazel catchment area. Use the program as long as it exists! Now is a good time to get involved.

Call the CWSCD at (540) 825-8591 or (540) 948-5681 for more information on the program. Funding for these projects was secured from the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The author is the Education and Information Officer for the Culpeper Water and Soil Conservation District.

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