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septic systems |
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septic systems Program Summary
Septic systems are used to treat wastewater from homes and small businesses that aren’t served by sewer systems and treatment plants, the situation in many rural and suburban areas. In a properly functioning septic system, pollutant concentrations found in raw sewage are reduced as biological activity and settling occurs in a septic tank and the remaining liquid passes through the septic tank. The water is treated by an aerobic treatment unit and finally disperses in a tile field or soil absorption unit. Very old and failing systems, by releasing ineffectively or untreated wastewater into the ground or, in the worst cases, directly on the surface, threaten both groundwater and surface water quality. There are about 22,000 residential septic systems being used in the Catskill/Delaware or West of Hudson (WOH) watershed. Between 1997 and 2002, DEP contributed $13.6 million in program support to the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) to repair or replace septic systems serving one- or two-family homes in the WOH watershed that are failing or likely to fail. CWC is a regional not-for-profit corporation established by the Watershed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to administer WOH water quality protection programs. DEP is providing an additional $15 million for the period between 2003 and 2008. Eligible costs for septic program funding include septic inspections, one-time pump-outs, replacement or upgrades of systems, and education and outreach.
From 1997 through the end of 2002, the CWC Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement program funded the repair or replacement of more than 1500 failing or likely-to-fail septic systems. Originally offered on a first-come, first-served basis, in mid-1999, the CWC shifted the program from a watershed-wide focus to an emphasis on areas of critical importance to water quality, particularly areas where runoff reaches the City’s distribution system within 60 days and properties along critical streams. Through 2002, CWC had solicitied participation in the program to 1,795 homeowners within the 60-day travel time areas. CWC staff conducts initial site/system inspections and, where warranted, performs a more detailed inspection. Systems found to be failing or substandard and likely to fail are either repaired or replaced. CWC pays 100% of eligible costs for primary residences and 60% for second homes.
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Watershed
Protection
