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Residential Cost Share for Septic Systems

What Is The Condition Of Your Septic System?

The Peter Francisco Soil & Water Conservation District has available a septic assistance program for residents in the Slate River and Rock Island Creek Watersheds.  If any of the following conditions are present on your property, you may already have a problem…

  • Sewage surfacing over drain field

  • Sewage backs up in the house

  • Lush, green growth over drain field

  • Slow draining toilets or drains

  • Sewage odors

  • Ground wet or mushy underfoot

  • Tests showing the presence of bacteria in well water

What's Available For Cost-Share:

  • Septic tank pump-out (Quarterly sign up & approval with limit of 20)

  • Septic system repair (includes incorporating wash water into septic system)

  • Septic system installation/replacement (New construction is not eligible)

  • Alternative on-site systems (Only when a conventional septic system is not possible)

Slate River & Rock Island Creek Watershed

TMDL Map

If you are unsure of which watershed you are located in or have questions regarding your location, please contact our office at (434) 983-7923. 

What Are The Requirements?

  • Residents must be located in the Slate River or Rock Island Creek watersheds located in Buckingham County. Contact our office to determine if you live in an eligible watershed.

    • If you do not know which watershed you are located in, please contact us by calling our office. ​

  • Applicant must be the homeowner. If you are a tenant having septic problems, your landlord must make the application for financial assistance.

  • Existing residential properties only — no new construction. Funding cannot be used for remodeling, expansion, or addition. Commercial properties, businesses, and houses of worship are not eligible.

  • NO WORK can be done on your septic system until your application is approved by the District. Wait for an approval letter before proceeding. All work, with the exception of pump outs, must be permitted and inspected by the health department.

  • If a problem is found during the pump-out, you may apply for additional financial assistance.

SLATE RIVER

If You Do NOT Live in the Slate River/Rock Island Creek Watershed:

For residents of Buckingham and Cumberland Counties who are not located in the Slate River Watershed, assistance is available through the Peter Francisco SWCD Septic Project. 

  • Assistance outside of the Slate River/Rock Island Creek Watershed is available ONLY for septic tank pump-outs

  • A maximum of 50% assistance is available for pump-outs based on a maximum eligible cost of $400.00 with a maximum cost-share payment of $200.00.  Payment will be made based upon 50% of the maximum eligible cost or the actual cost, whichever is less. 

    • Example A: Your sept​ic tank pump-out costs $350.00; you submit all required paperwork, and PFSWCD will reimburse you 50% or $175.00

    • Example B: Your septic tank pump-out costs $450.00 due to the size of your tank; you submit all required paperwork, and PFSWCD will reimburse you $200.00, which is based on 50% of the maximum eligible cost for the project. 

  • Applicant must be the homeowner. If you are a tenant having septic problems, your landlord must make the application for financial assistance.

  • Existing residential properties only — no new construction. Funding cannot be used for remodeling, expansion, or addition. Commercial properties, businesses, and houses of worship are not eligible.

  • NO WORK can be done on your septic system until your application is approved by the District. Wait for an approval letter before proceeding. All work, with the exception of pump outs, must be permitted and inspected by the health department.

LOCAL
Complete

What To Do With Your Completed Application: 

  • You can scan and email the completed forms to Cody Smith (cody.smith@vaswcd.org or Sherry Ragland at sherry.ragland@vaswcd.org, or you can mail them to our office: Peter Francisco SWCD, 16842 W. James Anderson Hwy. Buckingham, VA 23921.

  • Applications are presented for approval at monthly Board meetings (3rd Wednesday of each month). Please submit applications no later than the Monday before the Board meeting.

  • Project must be completed by the date stated in your approval letter. Contact the office if you would like to request a project extension.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Cody Smith or Sherry Ragland

cody.smith@vaswcd.org or sherry.ragland@vaswcd.org

(434) 983-7923

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