A unique private-public partnership is working to help a handful of Kent County homeowners pay for the repair of their failing septic systems and become qualified to receive a free septic system upgrade. This program – led by the Kent County Office of Environmental Health and Chester River Association – is part of a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund Local Implementation grant.
The overall program is focused on reducing non-point source nitrogen pollution in the Middle Chester River watershed through improving agriculture practices, increasing habitat restoration efforts, and reducing nitrogen emissions from septic systems. The Local Implementation grant was created from revenue generated through the state budget and automobile-related taxes. Septic system effluent contributes about 10% of all the nitrogen pollution in the Chester River since over half of the homes within the Chester River watershed depend on septic systems to treat their sewage. Too much nitrogen in the river upsets the natural balance and ultimately can cause fish kills and a loss of blue crab habitat. Septic systems, no matter how new, contribute nitrogen pollution to our waterways. Failing systems located close to tidal waterways are an even bigger threat to water quality. As of October 1, 2009 SB 554 requires failing septic systems in the Critical Area to be upgraded with nitrogen removing Best Available Technology during repair of the septic system.
At this time, funding for septic system repairs is still available. The criteria for participation in the program are as follows: the septic system must be in Kent County portion of the Middle Chester River watershed (Chestertown and the area around Radcliffe and Morgan creeks) in the Critical Area (land within 1000 feet of a tidal waterway). In addition, the system must be determined as failing by the Kent County Office of Environmental Health. For more information or to apply for septic system repair assistance from the Middle Chester Watershed Implementation Grant program, contact Jennifer Hicks at the Chester River Association (410) 708-7891. Information is also available at www.chesterriverassociation.org/septic_program.html.
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