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 Maryland's Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Upgrade Program
There are approximately 420,000 septic systems in Maryland. Of these, 52,000 systems are located within the “Critical Area,” land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters. The typical septic system does not remove nitrogen, instead delivering about 30 pounds of nitrogen per year to the groundwater. An upgraded, nitrogen-removing septic system cuts a system’s nitrogen load in half. The Maryland Department of the Environment has upgraded nearly 2,000 septic systems to nitrogen removing Best Available Technology (BAT) through the Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) Onsite Sewer Disposal System (OSDS) grant program.
Due to very high demand, the Maryland Department of the Environment now prioritizes funding for septic system upgrades toward those systems that pose the greatest threat to clean waterways and drinking water. In accordance with State law, the Bay Restoration Fund prioritizes upgrades as follows: 1) failing septic systems in the Critical Area, 2) failing septic systems outside the Critical Area, 3) non-failing systems in Critical Area, and 4) all other systems, including new construction. MDE continues to award grants to applicants with failing septic systems in the Critical Area, but has waitlisted other applications. MDE will reassess the availability of funding for other priorities by July 1, 2010, at which time applicants from the waitlist will be reevaluated.
Effective January 1, 2010, MDE established an income-based sliding scale to ensure septic upgrade grants are fairly distributed to homeowners with the most need. The BRF grants will be awarded on the following income guidelines:
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% of Grant Award
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Tax Rate
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2008 Taxable Income
(Filing Jointly or Household Income)
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2008 Taxable Income
(Single Filers)
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100
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10% to 15%
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Up to $65,100
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Up to $32,550
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75
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25%
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$65,101 to $131,450
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$32,551 to $78,850
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50
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28%
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$131,451 to $200,300
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$78,851 to $164,550
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25
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33% to 35%
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Over $200,301
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Over $164,551
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In addition, all commercial, rental, seasonally occupied, non-residential, non-primary dwellings and properties not owner occupied will only be eligible for a grant not to exceed 25 percent.
To sign up today or to get more information, call MDE at 410-537-4195 or fill out the online application.
More information:
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