What is the Condition of your Septic System

What is the Conditio= n of your Septic System?

The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District has available a septic assistance program for residents in the Gills Creek Watershed. If any of the following conditions= are present on your property, you probably already have a problem…

o = Sewage surfacing over drain field = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp;

o = Sewage backs up in the house

o = Lush, green growth over drain field

o = Slow draining toilets or drains

o = Sewage odors

o = Ground wet or mushy underfoot

o = Tests showing the presence of bacteria in well water

What is available? – The following septic practices are eligible for cost-share assistance:

o = Septic tank pump-out (Only if the septic system is within 300ft of a stream or oth= er body of water)

o = Septic connection to public sewer system (Only where a public sewer is available)<= /p>

o = Septic system repair

o = Septic system installation/replacement (New construction is not eligible)

o = Alternative on-site systems (Only when a conventional septic system is not possible)

What, septic pump-out? - The district do= es have pump-out assistance available, but this is only in cases in which a stream, spring, branch, river, or lake is within 300 feet of the septic system. The Cost-share amount= is 50% not to exceed $125. The District recommends that household septic tanks be pumped out at least every five years.

Cost-share $- The District will pay for a portion of total eligible costs for the installation of each practice. The rate of cost-share is 50% on a= ll septic practices with the possibility of up to 75% assistance based upon household income. The maximum payout on most practices is $3,000. As earlier stated, the septic pump-out maximum payout is $125. Remember, in order to receive cost-share, practices must be approved by the District Board before work on the practice has begun. Septic installation for new homes or buildings is not eligible for cost-sha= re.

How do I sign up? – If interested, please contact the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation Dist= rict by phone at (540) 483-5269 ext. 3 or stop by the office at 1297 State Street Rocky Mou= nt, VA 2= 4151. Programs in the Gills Creek Waters= hed began this year and are scheduled to continue for five years. All programs and services of the B= lue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminato= ry basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.