OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County homeowners and small business owners who have failing septic systems in environmentally-sensitive areas may be eligible for assistance through the New York State Septic System Replacement Program.
The program is administered by the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.
Property owners will be notified by mail in areas that have been identified as priority areas for septic system replacement.
Click here to view septic replacement priority areas
The designation is based on the location’s vulnerability to contamination, known water quality problems, and other criteria set by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health.
These areas include primary and principal aquifers and lakeshore parcels.
Donna Scanlon, program administrator for the Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning, said the program can provide up to 50 percent of a homeowner’s investment in an upgraded septic system and leach field, for up to $10,000.
“The program will reimburse contractors, excavators and engineers,” said Scanlon. “The program will not directly reimburse a homeowner. This is an environmental resource protection program, not an income-based program.”
The project must be pre-approved, and the work must be completed and approved by the local code enforcement office, the designing engineer and the Oswego County Health Department.
All septic system designs must be completed by an engineer who is licensed in New York State.
To receive pre-approval, the property must be the primary residence of the homeowner, and the homeowner or small business owner must apply to the Oswego County NYS Septic System Replacement Fund Program prior to installation.
Funding is limited.
The program administration team will review all applications to ensure the costs of the design and installation are reasonable.
In some cases, up to 50 percent of the total cost may not be approved if the costs are not justifiable.
Homeowners may download the application at www.oswegocounty.com.
Members of the Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning will attend local town board meetings in April and May to discuss the program.
Meetings will be held:
– Tuesday, April 10: Orwell Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., 1999 County Route 2, Orwell.
– Wednesday, April 11: Sandy Creek Town Board meeting, 7 p.m., 1992 Harwood Drive, Sandy Creek.
– Tuesday, May 8: Albion Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., 15 Bridge St., Altmar.
– Tuesday, May 8: Hastings Town Board meeting, 8 p.m., 1134 US Route 11, Central Square.
– Wednesday, May 23: Granby Town Board working meeting, 6 p.m., 820 County Route 8, Granby.
Additional meetings are being scheduled in other areas of the county and will be announced in the news media.
For more information, call the county Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning weekdays at 315-349-8292 or visit www.efc.ny.gov/SepticReplacement.
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“……the program can provide up to 50 percent of a homeowner’s investment….”
“In some cases, up to 50 percent of the total cost may not be approved…..”
Shouldn’t the second statement say “In ALL cases……”?
I paid for my septic system. Shoreline owners should pay for THEIR systems, or shut down and move. Same with people who live on or near aquifers or environmentally sensitive areas. The State should spend the money on incentives to keep house cats indoors to save the billions of birds and reptiles they kill every year.