Date: Fri 29-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

septic-repair-loans-grants

Full Text:

Deadline Approaches For Septic Repair Loans And Grants

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Homeowners whose septic systems are failing face a October 30 deadline to

apply for grants and low-interest loans available through the town's septic

repair program.

But Peter Alagna, chairman of the town's Water Pollution Control Authority

(WPCA), said he has been talking to the state Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP) about the possibility of extending the program beyond the

deadline. The subject was to be discussed at the WPCA meeting scheduled for

Thursday evening, August 28 (after publication of this week's edition of The

Newtown Bee ).

"I've been investigating the possibility of extending the program," Mr Alagna

said Tuesday. "The state seems to recognize this program as truly a sewer

avoidance program and sees it as having long-term benefits. I'd like to get a

commitment from the DEP to continue it."

So far 25 septic systems have been repaired or are in the process of being

repaired, expending about $310,090 of the $660,000 available through the

state's Clean Water Fund program, according to Donna M. McCarthy, the Newtown

Health District's director of environmental health.

The $310,090 includes both outright grants and 20-year loans with an interest

rate of 2 percent. Repairs varied from as little as $2,395 to as much as

$24,400, with the average $12,400.

"I want to fix as many septic systems as I possibly can before (the

eligibility period) is over," Ms McCarthy said. "We have a handful of

applications beyond those 25 which have already been approved."

Part of the remaining money probably will be used to create a community septic

system for about four homes along Bungalow Terrace in the Riverside section of

Sandy Hook. The homes will continue to have their own individual septic tanks

but would have their leaching fields on an adjacent parcel of public land

along I-84.

"There are a few houses on small lots on Bungalow Terrace where the septic

systems can't be repaired to conform to the code," Ms McCarthy explained.

"This looks to be a feasible solution. We have done the soil testing and the

`perk' testing (on the publicly-owned land) and everything looks great."

Mr Alagna said the project would employ a trench system by which wastewater

would flow from the septic tanks to the leaching field to be treated by the

soil.

Before the project can be done, an engineer must be hired to design an

implementation plan and the project must go out for bid.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley said there is some question about whether

the land for the leaching field actually is owned by the town or the state, so

a use permit may be required. The land isn't suitable for use as a building

lot or for any other purpose, he said.

Somewhat less than one acre would be used for the leaching field and it would

be divided into sections, one area for each homeowner's system.

"There will be individual leaching fields so that if something went wrong, it

would be that homeowner's responsibility to fix it," Mr Hurley said. "It isn't

a true community system."

Although he could not estimate the cost, Mr Alagna said there is plenty of

money left in the program to do both the Bungalow Terrace system and other

individual systems. He said the failing systems which are accepted to

participate in the program are those in areas which otherwise might require

installation of a sewer system.

"They are failing systems which, once repaired, will contribute toward the

avoidance of sewers," Mr Alagna said. "These are not Band-Aid repairs. They

are designed for permanent, long term solutions. Otherwise we won't finance

the repairs through this program."

Mr Alagna said the WPCA also hopes to be able to address septic failures at

residences in the South Main Street area. He said letters were supposed to be

mailed out by the health district several months ago advising homeowners in

that area that they could apply for funding.

"At that time the health department was moving (to its temporary location in

Canaan House at Fairfield Hills) and the notices didn't get sent," Mr Alagna

said. "I believe the department also was afraid of being swamped with

applicants at that time."

But fixing septic failures along South Main Street would be a logical use of

the federal Clean Water Act funds which are administered by the DEP, he said,

because the area originally was part of the proposed sewer system but was

removed to reduce its cost.

The $660,000 became available when voters agreed in August 1996 to use some of

the $34.3 million in sewer bonds to help repair septic systems outside the

town's new sewer district which serves parts of Newtown Borough, Sandy Hook

Center and Taunton Pond North.

"The DEP said it would allow Newtown to do this with part of the sewer funds

but it would be the first and last project of this type," Mr Alagna said.

Septic repair loans are available for 5-, 10-, 15- or 20-year periods at 2

percent interest. Grants can range up to 10 percent of the repair cost. Under

terms of the program, homes must have been built and occupied before July 1,

1983, to be eligible.

Those property owners who receive grants or loans must follow WPCA regulations

including having their septic system pumped out periodically.

For more information, contact the health district at 270-4291.