Financial assistance for septic repair available to Culpeper residents | InsideNoVa Culpeper – Culpeper Times

Many Culpeper County residents are eligible for reimbursement of 50 to 80 percent of the cost of pumping, maintaining, repairing or replacing private septic systems. T

The Mountain Run, Muddy Run, and Hazel River watersheds encompass almost all of Culpeper County, except for areas south of State Route 3, which flow directly into the Rapidan River, and areas north of Jeffersonton, which flow directly into the Rappahannock River. The Hubbard Run area is also excluded.

The Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) grant program continues to expand funding to help reduce bacterial pollution in local streams. The grants focus on reducing existing or potential impacts to local ground and surface water quality. Levels of E. coli bacteria in some local streams have long been found to be higher than expected by state quality standards.

Repairing or replacing broken septic systems helps reduce E. coli levels. An additional benefit for the property owner is the peace of mind that their system is up to standard and functioning properly.

Program participants are entitled to various payments depending on the actual needs of their systems. Options include pumpdowns, repairs, inspections and complete system replacement. Reimbursements cover 50 percent of costs, but can be up to 80 percent depending on low-income status.

Pumping is recommended every 3-5 years and inspections are recommended for older systems. Such preventative maintenance can extend the life of a system, and if repairs are revealed during the inspection, owners are entitled to additional repair payments.

Applications are required and must be approved before work begins. Otherwise the financing may be rejected. The district provides free assistance with the initial assessment of system needs. Reimbursement payments will be made promptly after the work is completed. The program is completely voluntary and district support is free.

For more information about the program, contact CWSCD at (540) 825-8591. However, funding for these projects was secured by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

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