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Septic Repair Program Comes To A Close

BY KAAREN VALENTA

After repairing 50 failing septic systems townwide and tackling a small

neighborhood pollution problem, Newtown's $660,000 septic repair program is

officially closed.

Donna McCarthy, director of environmental health for the Newtown Health

District, told the health board on Monday that she has been directed by the

Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to stop taking new applications from

homeowners and concentrate on finishing those applications already in

progress.

"Basically we're done, although some things are still in progress," she said.

"Once these are completed, we will be out of money."

So far 43 septic systems have been repaired, at a cost of $532,342, for which

homeowners received grants or were eligible for 20-year loans at an interest

rate of only 2 percent.

Seven other applications are still in process with a potential total cost of

$87,500, based on the average loan being approximately $12,500, Ms McCarthy

said.

The septic repair program was created after voters agreed in August 1996 to

use $660,000 of the $34.3 million in sewer bonds to help repair septic systems

outside the new sewer district. The money was made available through the

state's Clean Water Fund. The deadline for applications was October 1, 1997.

Ms McCarthy said the funds that remain from the $660,000 will be used for the

community septic system which is currently being designed by Fuss & O'Neill,

under its contract with the WPCA. The community system will serve the Bungalow

Terrace neighborhood and will include up to six homes, depending on the final

design and approval. A community system must be approved by, and receive

permits from, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Ms

McCarthy said.

"Overall, the septic repair program has been a successful program, repairing

50 failing septic systems townwide and solving a small neighborhood pollution

problem," she said.

The environmental health director said the program was so successful that it

might be in the town's best interest to continue such a program on the local

level.

Health District Director Mark A.R. Cooper said it would be beneficial to the

entire town if money could be found to establish a revolving, perpetual fund

to provide loans for septic repairs.

Ms McCarthy agreed. "This isn't the end of the need," she said. "Many septic

systems were installed 30 to 35 years ago and will be needing repairs and

replacement. I've already had one query from a resident since the program

closed."