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The septic and well assistance program, or SWAP, is underway and in full swing of getting qualified applicants.
Rockbridge Conservation has received a grant from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, to administer a local septic and well assistance program for the Rockbridge area and hopes to use the full potential of this grant to support the members of our community who are most in need of clean water and a working septic system.
Program facilitator Susan McLaughlin is accepting applications through April 30.
In order to be eligible, the applicant must own the home and the land it sits on; have a household income of 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines; need assistance for a project from the eligible list below; and the proposed septic or private well system improvements must comply with current regulatory standards. No funds will be provided directly to homeowners. Homeowners will be eligible to have their failing septic or private drinking water repaired or replaced.
The program will assist property owners to repair failing septic systems, replace straight pipes and replace pit-privies. Replacement can include connection to public sewer or replacement with a system authorized through a VDH-issued repair permit. The program will also assist property owners in addressing inadequate private drinking water supplies (wells, cisterns and springs) and properly abandoning unused wells and connecting to public water supplies.
Inadequate private drinking water supplies will be considered any of eight criteria: 1) replacement of a dry well; 2) replacement of a well that is document to have an exceedance of a maximum contaminant level or other health standards, 3) replacement of bored wells; 4) replacement of wells installed prior to any regulatory requirements related to the Private Well Regulations established in 1990; 5) replacement of a well in poor condition that is potentially under surface water influence; 6) replacement of a well that is required to be abandoned in order to permit a sewage system repair under SWAP; 7) replacement of a developed private drinking water supply (e.g. spring or cistern) that is not a private well for an existing home; 8) replacement of a developed private drinking water supply when access to private drinking water is no longer available for an existing home.
The grant period runs from Dec. 18, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2024, or until all funding is allocated. Homeowners should note that this program is being run by Rockbridge Conservation. Applications directly to VDH will not be accepted.
For additional information, contact Susan McLaughlin at susan. mclaughlin@rockbridgeconservation. org or at (540) 458-1539, or visit https:// www.rockbridgeconservation. org/swap-initiative/. Fillable applications are available on the website, at any of the Rockbridge Regional Library branches, and at several social service facilities in Rockbridge County. Completed application forms may be returned by U.S. mail to Rockbridge Conservation, P.O. Box 564, Lexington, VA 24450 or by email to susan.mclaughlin@rockbridgeconservation. org.
