Volusia County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program Property Owners Information

Overview

Program Overview for Property Owners

In 2016, the Florida Legislature identified DeLeon Spring as an impaired second magnitude “Outstanding Florida Spring” that requires additional protections to ensure conservation and restoration for future generations. To achieve the water quality restoration targets established in the TMDL, the DeLeon Spring Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) was developed by the FDEP and contains enforceable sets of projects and management practices to reduce nitrogen pollution that is impacting the Spring. The FDEP has determined that septic tanks are a major source of nitrogen pollution in DeLeon Spring and, as a result, has implemented a septic system remediation plan as part of the DeLeon Spring BMAP. The law requires specific actions regarding both existing and new septic systems located near DeLeon Spring within the area known as Priority Focus Area (PFA).

Volusia County, through a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant, was approved for $2.2 million to provide rebates to property owners for up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) per septic system upgrade using registered septic system contractors and state licensed plumbers at a single or two-family residence or mobile home on a lot less than one acre. Upgrades of conventional septic systems in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) are intended to reduce nitrogen contributions to DeLeon Springs.

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 systems and must be pre‐approved by the County and permitted by Department of Health, prior to the commencement of work.

Eligibility Requirements

Households must meet all screening criteria to be eligible for septic upgrade grants of up to $10,000.

Who Should Apply:

Property owners in the PFA will hire a registered septic system contractor and state licensed plumber. The CONTRACTOR will 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 http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental‐health/onsite‐sewage/products/index.html

Property type must be

Single or two-family residence.
Property owner must apply/consent.
Current on all property taxes.
The grant limit per septic system is $10,000.
Residential new construction is not eligible.

Property located in Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs

Work must be done on within the DeLeon Springs Priority Focus Area (PFA) and
Must be a single or two-family residence or mobile home.

Work performed by a licensed contractor

All septic system upgrades authorized for this project will be performed by a registered septic system contractor and/or state-licensed plumber.
The contractor must be a registered vendor with Volusia County.
Registered septic system contractors can be found here.
State-licensed plumbers can be found here.
All work must be permitted and approved by the Volusia County Department of Health (DOH).
Work must be to upgrade existing systems and must be pre‐approved by the County, and permitted by DOH prior to the commencement of work.

Property Owners Required Documents

Property Owner Application Form

The contractor will provide the Property Owner Application Form to the property owner for completion. The contractor has to provide this form to the County in order to apply for the program. See Property Owner Application Form

You can store documents in your profile so that 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.

Who is eligible for the program?

Property owners in the PFA will hire a registered septic system contractor and 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.

How does a property owner choose a contractor?

The contractor should:

Be a registered septic system contractor here and/or state licensed plumber here.
Be registered as a Volusia County vendor here.
Secure a completed Property Owner Application Form for authorization by the property owner to participate in the grant program. See Property Owner Application Form

Are there specific areas of the County that are covered by the Program?

Yes. Work must be done within the Priority Focus Area in DeLeon Springs.

Visit Florida Department of Environmental Protection for addition information on the Deleon Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP).

Is there a maximum amount of assistance per property covered by this program?

$10,000 per septic system. The funds will be directly issued to the contractor once the project is completed and approved by the County.

This Program is limited in funding from the State and will conclude when funding is no longer available or by contract end date, whichever comes first.

How does the property owner know that their property has been approved for the program?

The contractor will notify the property owner if the project on their property has been approved to begin.

Who does the property owner contact the County regarding questions about the program?

Volusia County Environmental Management

Thomas C Kelly Administration Building

123 W Indiana Ave.

Room 202

DeLand, FL 32720

8AM to 5PM

How much will the property owner have to pay the contractor to participate in the program?

Accordion Content

How does the property owner begin the process of this program?

Property owner in the PFA selects a qualifying septic system upgrade using a registered septic system contractor and 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.

How does a property owner obtains information about septic systems?

For property owner education regarding septic systems, please visit here, https://fowaonsite.com/homeowner_education

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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