Septic System Replacement Fund

The Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO), a nonprofit based in Kingston, is currently offering a special grant opportunity. Homeowners and small business owners whose septic system is within 250 feet of a stream or water body are eligible to apply for up to 50% of the cost of replacing the tank if it is failing, with a ceiling of $10,000.

The money comes from NY State, said Faith Moore of RUPCO, from a grant fund established to help improve the quality of waterways and aquifers that suffer from human-caused pollution. "In short, this program is intended to help keep our waterways healthy and prevent future degradation."

Ella Cattabiani, Ulster County's new watershed coordinator, quoted the EPA: "More than one in five U.S. households rely on a septic system to manage their wastewater. When these systems malfunction, they can release untreated sewage with pollutants, such as bacteria and nutrients, into groundwater, onto surrounding land, or into nearby surface waters. Elevated nutrient levels in surface water can act as fertilizer for fast‑growing bacteria and algae, often triggering algal blooms that degrade water quality, harm aquatic plants and animals, and in some cases produce toxins."

"This program is not necessarily due to the Esopus, Rondout or Wallkill being unsafe for recreation today," Moore said. "Rather, it is a proactive effort to prevent pollution before it becomes a larger problem. Septic systems located near streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and aquifers are a known source of nutrient and bacterial contamination when they fail."

John Messerschmidt, chair of Rochester's Environmental Conservation Commission, reported "Riverkeeper [a watershed protection organization] has been testing for enterococcus bacteria at 22 locations along the Rondout Creek for more than 15 years. Despite ongoing efforts to identify and address sources of contamination, bacteria levels have continued to rise and now frequently exceed safe swimming standards at many sites... As the creek passes through more densely populated areas with a higher concentration of septic systems, bacteria levels increase significantly."

Who is given preference for septic system replacement grants? Moore was asked. "Preference is based primarily on environmental impact rather than on financial need," she replied. She said RUPCO's mandate is to identify septic systems located within 250 feet of streams or water bodies, prioritizing "locations with significant environmental impacts... as identified on the interactive map on our website." Applicants for a grant, she said, "must also demonstrate that their septic system is failing or likely to fail." RUPCO requires documentation of that fact by a qualified inspector. "So the selection process is generally a combination of proximity to a waterway or water body, whether the property is located over a critical aquifer, and confirmation that the septic system is failing or likely to fail." Financial need is secondary, Moore said. "Unlike many housing rehabilitation programs, this funding is not primarily income driven."

Over $300,000 was awarded to RUPCO for the septic system replacement fund. “Applications are generally accepted until available funding is exhausted," said Moore. "Because grants are awarded on a first-qualified, first-served basis within the program guidelines, homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible." The grant can pay for "septic system repair, rehabilitation, replacement, design and installation," but not routine maintenance. For the most up-to-date information on funding availability and application deadlines, property owners should contact RUPCO directly via the Septic Repair Program page on our website, https://rupco.org/septic. As of today, we have substantial funding available."