Press release from MountainTrue:
Homeowners who need septic repairs but can’t afford to pay for them may now qualify for a new grant program that will pay all their repair costs. Local environmental group MountainTrue is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide septic repair grants to qualifying homeowners in Buncombe, Henderson, Mitchell, Transylvania, Yancey, and Madison counties. To learn more about the septic repair program and Mountaintrue, visit mountaintrue.org/septic.
Rural homeowners and people outside cities and towns often rely on private septic systems. These systems can begin to fail as they get older or due to neglect, but repairs can be expensive and out of reach for many residents. Homeowners can now apply through MountainTrue to see if they qualify for a state grant to cover the full cost of fixing their septic systems. Eligibility requirements and the grant application are available at mountaintrue.org/septic.
“Homeowners might be suffering from a broken or failing septic system, but other household expenses or bills might be more pressing,” says Gray Jernigan, Deputy Director of MountainTrue. “MountainTrue is glad to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments to help those who need it most pay to repair their septic systems, which will help improve our region’s water quality.”
MountainTrue conducts regular bacteria monitoring of local rivers, lakes, and streams as part of its SwimGuide program, which provides weekly water safety results for 96 popular recreation sites each week between Memorial and Labor Day weekend. Occasionally, sites fail when the amount of E. coli in the water exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safe swimming standard.
Failing septic systems can leak untreated sewage into groundwater, well water systems, and local waterways. The problem becomes worse after heavy rains when stormwater runoff can carry bacteria pollution into local streams and rivers. MountainTrue has conducted additional environmental DNA testing of local waterways and confirmed that cattle with access to waterways and faulty or inadequate sewer, septic, or water treatment infrastructure are the major sources of E. coli pollution.
“Bacteria pollution is a significant problem at some popular river access areas and swimming holes,” explains Hartwell Carson, MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper. “One of the main sources of the high levels of bacteria and other pathogens is leaking and failing septic systems, particularly in older neighborhoods. Through this program, we’re helping homeowners and making the river more safe for recreation at the same time.”
To learn more about the septic repair program and Mountaintrue, visit mountaintrue.org/septic.
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