A septic tank is a necessity when you live far from municipal wastewater and sewer connections.
It does exemplary work of converting waste and wastewater into an environment-safe product.
There’s one problem, though: Installing one is an expensive affair.
One can set you back thousands of dollars. Repair and refurbishing aren’t cheap either.
What happens when you need a new septic tank or need to repair your existing one but don’t have cash?
Well, you can apply for a septic tank grant. That’s right—such funding opportunities exist in the United States.
I have listed some of them below including how to get them.
Are There Grants For Septic Tank Replacement?
Let’s start with grants that are specific to a septic tank replacement.
1. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants
The USDA offers low-interest loans and grants to different groups of people to install or service sewer or septic systems.
One of them is the Rural Homes Loans Program which gives low-income earners funds to build, renovate, repair, and relocate a home, prepare and purchase sites and provide water/sewage facilities.
The Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant also offers grants to homeowners in rural areas.
The funds can be used to construct, revamp, and service water well and septic systems in individually-owned households.
2. Environmental Facilities Corporation grants
If you reside in New York, the Environmental Facilities Corporation also offers funding to counties to help small businesses and homeowners replace septic systems and get rid of cesspools.
The $30 million grant is available via the State Septic System Replacement Program and is done to improve the water quality and protect the citizens,
3. National Inspection Plan (NIP)
In 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the National Inspection Plan (NIP) to scrutinize individually-owned septic tanks.
The project was aimed at protecting ground and surface water with more emphasis on improving the quality of drinking water.
The NIP grant is given to homeowners whose septic tanks don’t pass the EPA quality test.
The funds can be used to fix the issues in the sewer systems including repair, replacement, upgrading, and remediation.
4. Prioritised Areas of Action (PAA)
For those people with houses that are in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan, the PAA grant is offered to repair, replace, and upgrade their septic systems.
The faulty systems are assessed by the Local Authority Water Programs office.
If your system desperately needs a lift, the office will confirm your eligibility for the grant through a letter.
5. High-Status Catchment Area
This grant is offered to take care of the costs of remediation, upgrading, repair, and replacement of a household wastewater treatment system.
For you to qualify, your house should be located where the works arise in a High-Status Objective Area according to the River Basin Management Plan.
Are There Grants For New Septic Systems?
I. USDA grant
The USDA grant above can be used to construct a brand-new septic system as well as carry out repairs.
II. EPA grant
EPA also offers grants to people looking to put up new septic systems as well as those doing repairs and replacements.
III. US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
This is a community development block grant that gives homeowners funding through their state to install, repair, and improve their residential septic systems.
How To Apply For A Septic Tank Grant
The method of applying for a septic tank grant varies from one organization to another.
It is upon you to get all the information about the specific one you are targeting.
With that said, here’s a general guideline to follow when applying for a septic tank grant.
A. Identify the potential grant
Firstly, you want to determine which grant you hope to apply to.
Search everywhere but most importantly, on government grant websites.
Check each grant carefully to identify if it meets your needs or if you are eligible.
B. Download the material
Once you have nailed your potential grant, the next thing would be to download the application package and fill it out.
Try as much as you can to give all the required details.
Some grants only require you to fill out the form online and submit it.
In that case, there’s no need of downloading the form.
C. Register with Grants.gov
If you are applying for a US federal grant, you have to register yourself, your community, or your business on the Grants.gov website.
D. Write your grant material
Start by reviewing the instructions on the grant.
Then go ahead and provide every document needed.
The proposal should meet a specified budget, the goal of the fund, and other grant requirements.
E. Submit the package
After you’ve finalized the materials, you can submit the package.
Most grant websites will let you review your application for errors before submitting it.
Take advantage of it and only hit “send” when you are sure that everything checks out.
Septic Tank Grant Application Form
This is a very thorough document intended to capture as much detail about the applicant as possible.
The funding organization uses it to decide who deserves the grant.
It starts by giving information about the level of the grant, its purpose of the grant, the administering body, eligibility guidelines, deadlines, approved cost of the grant, tax clearance requirements, submission of the package, and appeals.
The next section is the juicy part where you fill out the information about yourself or your business.
You need to give your personal details, and registration reference of the grant, tick a specified checklist, give the general description of work to be done and the cost of the project, and details of contractors.
You will finish by signing the declaration section.
Quick Tips for success
- Get a second or third party to proofread your work.
- Get the background information before downloading the package.
- Have a clear and thorough budget.
- Check your package application for consistency.
- Avoid unnecessarily lengthy explanations.
- Don’t be afraid to contact the funding organization.
- Keep tabs on your application.
