Funding available for septic system replacement from Erie County Department of Health

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Properties near specific bodies of water in Erie County may be eligible for up to $10,000 to design and install new residential or small commercial septic systems

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing a Septic System Replacement Fund available to property owners near specific bodies of water with failing or likely-to-fail septic systems. Eligible property owners can receive up to 50% of eligible septic system project costs - up to $10,000.

This program gives property owners access to funding to replace septic systems that can or may pollute local and regional water sources and could endanger public health. Failing septic systems can send human waste and disease to groundwater, drinking water sources and bodies of water used for recreation.

Signs of a failing or about-to-fail septic system include overloaded or clogged absorption areas, or sewage backup. A septic tank that needs to be pumped four times in a year, or discharge directly or indirectly to the ground surface, are other indicators that a septic system needs repair or replacement.

Current funding is limited to properties within 250 feet of 12 specific waterbodies in Erie County. These properties must have septic systems that are failing or have been deemed reasonably likely to fail. Property owners are strongly encouraged to contact ECDOH's Environmental Health division to learn more.

Priority water bodies for this program:

• Niagara River, Upper and Main Stem (Grand Island, City of Tonawanda)
• Chippewa (West) Channel (Grand Island)
• Ransom Creek, Lower and tributaries (Amherst, Clarence)
• Random Creek, Upper and tributaries (Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster, Newstead)
• Buffalo Creek, Upper and minor tributaries (Aurora, Elma, Holland, Marilla, Sardinia, Wales)
• Pipe Creek and tributaries (Aurora, Colden)
• Orchard Park Reservoir (Colden)
• Eighteenmile Creek, Middle and tributaries (Boston, Hamburg, Orchard Park)
• Lake Erie (Main Lake, North) (Brant, Evans, Hamburg)
• Eighteenmile Creek, Upper and tributaries (Boston, Colden, Concord)
• Muddy Creek, Lower and tributaries (Brant, Evans)
• North Branch Clear Creek, Upper and tributaries (North Collins)

Covered costs may include:

• Design and installation costs
• Costs of the system
• System components
• Enhanced treatment technologies
• Design costs (limited only to work needed to complete approved design)

Costs not covered include:

• Routine maintenance such as pump out of a septic tank
• Expenses that are not appropriately documented
• Government permit fee
• Interest and late fees
• Fines and penalties
• Sales tax payment
• Non-essential site beautification or interior plumbing changes
• Administrative work conducted by the engineer
• Construction observation by the engineer if the engineer, or an entity owned, controlled by or employing the engineer, is also conducting the repair or replacement

To determine if your septic system replacement would qualify for funding, please email [email protected]or call (716) 961-6800.

Changed

07/24/2024 - 9:55 am