Repairing, replacing and maintaining septic systems to protect water quality
Septic Repair and Replacement
Septic Repair and Replacement
The CWC helps homeowners in the NYC Watershed West of the Hudson River abide by New York State and New York City Watershed regulations that require homeowners to maintain onsite septic systems to correctly treat and dispose of sewage. Abiding by these regulations can be costly and time consuming to the owner. CWC administers programs to assist with these requirements for residential properties, small businesses, non-profits, government entities, and system maintenance programs to help offset the costs of agency regulations
Scroll below to learn more about each program, whether or not you are eligible, and how you can apply! Questions about program eligibility, reimbursable expenses and other issues may be directed to the CWC Technical Staff at 845-586-1400. Please understand that CWC staff members cannot recommend engineering firms or contractors.
Residential Rehabilitation and Replacement Program
The CWC’s RRR Program is a voluntary program for residential owners located anywhere in the West-of-Hudson (WOH) NYC Watershed whose system serve one or two family residences, or home-business combinations, and treat less than 1,000 gallons per day.
Reimbursement eligibility for primary (full-time) residents is 100% and for non-primary residences is 60%. Eligible costs include designing, repairing, or replacing failed septic systems that are at least 20 years old.
Please contact the CWC to schedule a site visit to determine if your system needs professional analysis and to help navigate the process. If the system is deemed eligible, you can then apply and be signed in to the voluntary program. From there, it is the owners responsibility to engage a contractor to locate, unearth and pump out the tank or cesspool for an additional inspection by the CWC. This cost is eligible for reimbursement regardless if a problem is found or not. If a problem is found, it is the owners responsibility to engage an engineer to design the repairs and a contractor to perform the work.
Please obtain a quote for the design and construction and submit it to CWC for written approval before any work is performed. If a quote exceeds $30,000, the CWC Board of Directors must approve the cost and scope of work prior to construction commencing. Please note sales tax is not an eligible cost. To avoid your out-of-pocket payment, the CWC can reimburse approved expenses with a two-party check which the homeowner can then sign over to the engineer or contractor.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to make certain that any needed local permits are obtained, and that the NYC DEP has approved the design and is notified at least 48 hours before construction commences.
This program does NOT pay for septic systems serving newly constructed homes, or for systems newer than 20 years of age.
Expanded Septic Repair
The CWC’s ESR Program is a voluntary program that aids in the repair or replacement of failing or likely to fail septic systems. It is designed for small businesses, non-for-profits, and government entities in the West-of-Hudson Watershed. Funding assistance is also available for alteration/ modifications of septic systems required by change of use. The level of reimbursement is determined by the number of employees.
Small business owners who believe their septic system is failing should contact the CWC for an inspection. If repairs are deemed necessary, the owner shall secure an engineer to design them and the CWC shall review the design and indicate what can be funded. The owner must obtain design approval from NYC DEP and, if required, from NYS Department of Health (DOH) before obtaining a construction bid which must then be approved by the CWC. The owner is also responsible for obtaining any necessary permits from local municipalities and the County or State DOH, whichever is applicable, before proceeding with construction. After construction is complete and has been approved by DEP (and, if required, by DOH), the owner may submit a reimbursement application to CWC with a copy of the DEP Construction Approval form.
In the event that potential reimbursement exceeds $30,000, the Board of Directors shall approve the scope of work and the cost of the system before construction may begin. Enterprises served or potentially served by community wastewater system are not eligible for this program.
Septic Maintenance
The CWC’s Septic Maintenance Program reimburses 50% of costs to uncover and pump out septic tanks in the West-of-Hudson Watershed. It is a voluntary program available to homeowners, small businesses, not-for-profit corporations and government entities.
Septic tanks should be pumped and inspected every three to five years by a licensed septic pumper to prevent system failures that result in costly repairs and pose a threat to health and environment. Enzyme treatments and septic system additives are not eligible costs and are not recommended.
Any owner of a property having an onsite septic system outside of a septic maintenance district and not required by local law to connect to a sewer collection system is eligible to apply. Property owners are eligible for pump out cost reimbursement every three years.
To receive reimbursement, the owner hires a licensed septic pumper to pump out their septic tank. The septic pumper completes the program’s Septic Tank Pump Out and Inspection Checklist which the property owner submits to the CWC with the invoice for the work, proof of payment (paid receipt) and a CWC Reimbursement Application. The CWC will reimburse 50% of eligible costs.
Note: CWC does not pay sales tax.
Septic Education
CWC hosts seminars for contractors, engineers, and regulators in our large capacity conference room in Arkville. These events can range from general septic system training, new product demonstrations or general meetings on watershed regulations.
Please follow us on social media and check our calendar page to stay up to date on upcoming septic events!
