Warren County has created a new online application system for property owners to apply for septic system improvement funding in an expanded list of watersheds in the county.
Previous application periods that began in 2021 were for property owners in the Lake George Watershed, and $975,000 was earmarked and is being distributed to protect waterways with repaired or improved septic systems.
An additional $400,000 in funding has been received from New York State to assist property owners on Schroon Lake, Brant Lake, Loon Lake, Trout Lake, Schroon River, some of their tributaries and more. The updated list of waterways as well as an interactive map are located online here.
Property owners will be eligible for grants for up to 50% project funding, up to $10,000 per project, to use toward replacement of septic systems or cesspools or upgrading of system components.
Warren County Planning & Community Development, which is overseeing the program, has been working with eligible property owners to explain their options. An online application system has been created, which can be found here. Additional information about the program can be found on this website as well.
There is currently a waiting list of property owners who previously applied for funding that will likely result in use of existing funding, but additional applications are being solicited from property owners as Warren County Department of Planning and Community Development applies for additional NY State funding.
Factors to determine which property owners will be awarded grants include:
• The applicant property’s location in relation to eligible waterbodies.
• Impacts to groundwater used as drinking water.
• The condition of the septic system.
Warren County has been distributing funding through the New York State Septic System Replacement Program since 2021, when $340,000 in funding that was received and allocated to 36 projects that were completed on and around Lake George. An additional $635,000 was received in 2022 and has been allocated for eligible projects.
Said Ethan Gaddy, Warren County Planner: “Preserving our water quality is vitally important to our economy and quality of life. Property owners who may be eligible for this funding should review the application and take advantage of this program to help keep our watersheds clean. Due to program limits associated with the NYSDEC Septic Replacement program, our department will apply for septic replacement funds via alternative programs this year. Submitting an application via the online portal will help us prove that there is a strong demand for additional funding.”
Questions about the program can be directed to the Planning Department at 518-761-6410.
The program is a collaboration between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Health, New York Environmental Facilities Corporation, and participating counties such as Warren County that administer funding to qualifying property owners.
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