Volusia County
Septic Upgrade Incentive Program Contractors Information
NOTICE: Per DEP, certain springs BMAPs have requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS. The requirements for DeLeon Springs apply only in the Priority Focus Area (PFA). This grant helps to cover the cost of the replacement of septic systems within DeLeon Springs PFA only.
Springs BMAP | Where BMAPs require existing systems to be upgraded to nitrogen reducing systems | Date requirements will become effective |
*NEW* DeLeon Springs | Lots less than one acre in the Priority Focus Area. Larger lots, are not mandated to upgrade, however they are eligible for this grant. | January 31, 2024 |
This program by the Department of Environmental Protection directly pays contractors for approved PFA installations on behalf of property owners.
Attention Contractors: Please read the entire program guidance and instructional video before applying. Contractors can apply here.
Program Overview
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has approved Volusia County to provide rebates to property owners for up to $10,000 per septic system upgrade using registered septic system contractors or state-licensed plumbers at a single- or two-family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site. Upgrades of existing conventional septic systems in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) are intended to reduce nitrogen contributions to DeLeon Springs. Please follow these instructions on how to search a property in the PFA.
The program offers rebates only in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs. The rebates are available for payment directly to certified septic system installers and licensed plumbers retained by property owners to upgrade existing conventional systems and must be pre‐approved by the County and permitted by the Department of Health prior to the commencement of work.
NEED SUPPORT?
If you need help with this online application, please email us at Volusia-support@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or call us at 855-582-3973.
Eligibility Requirements
Households must meet all screening criteria to be eligible for septic upgrade grants of up to $10,000.
Contractors for property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs. Please follow these instructions on how to search a property in the PFA.
Property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs should familiarize themselves with the program. For more information click here.
When a property owner in the PFA selects a qualifying septic system upgrade using a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber, the CONTRACTOR can apply for the grant on behalf of the property owner to offset the cost of the installation of the qualifying system.
A list of the eligible features achieving enhanced treatment of nitrogen is available on the Department of Health (DOH) website https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/product-listings-and-approval-requirements
- Single- or two-family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site within the DeLeon Springs PFA only.
- Property owner must complete the consent form with the contractor (open and download form for fillable PDF).
- Current on all property taxes or proof of non-profit status in good standing (Active Status) on Sunbiz.
- The onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) must be existing and conventional.
- More than one installation per site is allowed.
The grant limit per septic system is $10,000.
For-profit commercial properties and residential new constructions are not eligible.
- Work must be done within the DeLeon Springs Priority Focus Area (PFA). Please follow these instructions on how to search a property in the PFA.
- The property must be a single- or two-family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site.
- All septic system upgrades authorized for this project will be performed by a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber.
- The contractor must be a registered vendor with Volusia County.
- Registered septic system contractors can be found here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for registered septic system contractors. State-licensed plumbers can be found here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for state-licensed plumbers.
- All work must be permitted and approved by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH).
Work must be pre-approved by the County and permitted by DOH before work commences.
- Funds are available only for installations of nitrogen-reducing on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) enhancements in an eligible single- or two‐family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site with an existing conventional (non‐nitrogen‐reducing) system.
- The approved nitrogen-reducing systems are:
- In-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs)
- Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATUs)
- Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTs)
- For-profit commercial properties and residential new construction are not eligible.
- More than one installation per site is allowed.
To apply online, please visit the Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program to create your account and login to the FORWARD platform.
Our YouTube – How To Apply-Contractors video goes in-depth on how to apply for the Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program.
Required Documents
The following documents will be used to verify the above eligibility:
- Copy of the issued permit from the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County
- Estimated cost/quote of the full project
- Registered septic system contractors and/or state-licensed plumbers will submit proof of State Business License number.
- Registered septic system contractors and/or state-licensed plumbers will submit proof of State Registration.
- Property owner application form (open and download form for fillable PDF)
- Proof of Volusia County vendor registration
- A copy of the issued electrical permit from Volusia County Building Administration is required for these two installations:
- Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATU)
- Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTS)
- A final copy of the invoice to the property owner showing the address of the residence, identifying the equipment, materials and labor performed and the property owner’s share of the cost (reflecting the reduction of the incentive amount requested).
- A photograph representative of the installation prior to the inspection
- A copy of the inspection report issued by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County showing satisfactory completion of the work
- A copy of the passed electrical inspection report by the Volusia County Building Administration showing satisfactory completion of the work. This is only required if installation is a Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATU) or Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTS).
- Any other documentation requested by the County to substantiate performance
The County will not process the invoice until all documentation required above is received and approved.
You can store documents in your profile so you can easily find them to include in your applications. These file formats are supported: .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .xls, and .xlsx
Frequently Asked Questions
FORWARD has extensive experience administering assistance programs across the nation and can process applications at scale, prevent fraud, securely process payments, and provide reporting that meets funder requirements.
The contractors hired by the property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs are eligible for this program. Please follow these instructions on how to search a property in the PFA.
Property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs should familiarize themselves with the program.
When a property owner in the PFA selects a qualifying septic system upgrade using a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber, the CONTRACTOR can apply for the grant on behalf of the property owner to offset the cost of the installation of the qualifying system.
A contractor must:
- Be a registered septic system contractor here and/or state-licensed plumber here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for registered septic system contractors. Please follow these instructions on how to search for state-licensed plumbers.
- Be registered as a Volusia County vendor here
- Complete an application and provide all required attachments, permits and documentation
- Secure a completed Property Owner Application Form for authorization by the property owner to participate in the grant program. See Property Owner Application Form (open and download form for fillable PDF).
- Not begin work prior to issuance of a PO. Work commenced before the PO is issued will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Yes. Work must be done within the Priority Focus Area in DeLeon Springs. Please follow these instructions on how to search a property in the PFA.
Visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website for additional information on the DeLeon Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP).
EXISTING system requirements in springs BMAPs are being phased in starting with DeLeon Springs (Volusia county) on lots less than one acre and within the Priority Focus Area (PFA) starting January 31, 2024
Per DEP, certain springs BMAPs have requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS. The requirements for DeLeon Springs apply only in the Priority Focus Area (PFA). This grant helps to cover the cost of the replacement of septic systems within DeLeon Springs PFA only.
- Connect to sewer if it is available; or
- If sewer will be available in five years, repair or modify the existing conventional septic system; or
- Install a nitrogen-reducing system (ENR-OSTDS).
Funds are available only for installations of nitrogen reducing OSTDS enhancements on an eligible property with an existing conventional (non‐nitrogen‐reducing) system.
The following are approved nitrogen-reducing systems:
- In-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs)
- Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATUs)
- Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTs)
A list of the eligible features achieving enhanced treatment of nitrogen is available on the Department of Health (DOH) website, https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/product-listings-and-approval-requirements
Yes, more than one installation per site is allowed.
The contractor must submit the following:
- An initial application in the FORWARD portal that has been reviewed and approved to proceed.
- A copy of the invoice to the property owner showing the address of the residence; identifying the equipment, materials and labor performed; and the homeowner’s share of the cost (reflecting the reduction of the incentive amount requested)
- A photograph representing the installation prior to the inspection
- A copy of the inspection report issued by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County showing satisfactory completion of the work
- Any other documentation requested by the County to substantiate performance.
The County will not process the invoice until all documentation required above is received and approved. The contractor will receive payment within four to six weeks after approval of installation. Please email Denise Colflesh, Volusia County Environmental Management, at dcolflesh@volusia.org with questions regarding approved payments.
Yes, non-profit owned and operated sites can apply for the septic upgrade incentive as long as their status on Sunbiz shows in good standing (Active Status).
Yes, the maximum amount of the award is $10,000 per septic system. Each award is based on the total cost of the septic installation. For example, an installation which qualified under the grant but was a total cost to the property owner of $8,500 would only be eligible for $8,5000 in incentives. The incentive cannot exceed the total cost of installation.
This program is limited in funding from the State of Florida and will conclude when funding is no longer available or by contract end date, whichever comes first.
Volusia County Environmental Management
Thomas C Kelly Administration Center
123 W. Indiana Ave.,
Room 202
DeLand, FL 32720
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Yes, within each application under the “Address and Contact” tab, you can list an email that will receive notifications specific to that installation address/application.
If you are adding additional project installation addresses/applications, please watch this video, which contains general information and information specific to multiple installation addresses at the timestamp of 4:50. YouTube – How To Apply-Contractors.
Yes. All FORWARD tutorials are launched in YouTube and the viewer can utilize YouTube’s embedded settings to change the subtitles to any of the languages available within YouTube.
While viewing the video, you can navigate to the settings icon and then select “Subtitles/CC” and then you will click the “Auto-translate” feature to select the language you need.
No, rental properties may qualify as long as the property owner consents.
FORWARD Online Application Tutorials
FORWARD Online Application Tutorials
Program Partners
FORWARD is administering the Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program on behalf of Volusia County
and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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