Residential Cost Share for Septic System Maintenance and Repairs

How it works

The Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District says it received additional funding to expand its residential septic system cost-share program to all areas of its five-county district. The program is entirely voluntary and provides reimbursement after the work is completed.

What the money covers

Eligible work includes pumping, maintaining, repairing, or replacing on-lot septic systems. The page also says homeowners may qualify for reimbursement toward:

• Pump outs
• Pump out plus inspection
• Repairs
• Conventional systems
• Systems that require a pump to move liquids to the drain field
• Alternative engineered systems
• Connection to public sewer

The page notes that pump outs and inspections are encouraged because preventive maintenance can extend system life and reduce later repair costs. If an inspection identifies further repairs, the owner may still be eligible for additional repair payments.

Amounts and matching

Reimbursement is typically 50% of the expense. For individuals who qualify for low-income status, reimbursement can be as high as 80%.

Maximum payments for average-income property owners are:

• $225 toward a pump out
• $3,250 toward a pump out and inspection
• $3,750 toward a repair
• $6,250 toward a conventional system
• $8,250 if a pump is required to move liquids to the drain field
• $15,750 toward an alternative engineered system
• $6,250 toward connection to public sewer

Low-income maximums listed on the page are:

• Up to $360 for a pump out
• Up to $5,200 for a pump out and inspection
• Up to $6,000 for a repair
• Up to $10,000 for a conventional system
• Up to $13,200 if a pump is required to move liquids to the drain field
• Up to $25,200 for an alternative engineered system
• Up to $10,000 for connection to public sewer

How to apply

Applications are required and must be approved before the work is done, or funding can be declined. The district says free assistance is available for initial assessments of an individual system’s needs. Homeowners can contact the district for more information by phone.

Timing and deadlines

• Effective July 1, 2024, the program became available to all residential properties in the district’s five counties
• The page does not list an application deadline
• Reimbursement payments are made promptly after the work is completed