NYS Septic System Replacement Fund

Rockland County has received funds from New York State to participate in New York State’s Septic System Replacement Fund to improve water quality. The Septic System Replacement Fund Program focuses on improving water quality by providing funds to counties to help homeowners replace cesspools and septic systems that are adversely impacting designated waterbodies.

Homeowners can receive up to 50% of the cost (up to a maximum of $10,000) of their eligible septic system projects located within 250 feet of a priority waterbody.

List of NYS priority water bodies in Rockland County: 

1501-0008	Hackensack River/Lake Tappan
1501-0010	Nauraushaun Brook, Lower, and tributaries
1501-0011	Mahwah River, Lower, and tributaries
1501-0012	Ramapo River, Lower, and minor tributaries
1501-0026	Hackensack River, Lower, and minor tributaries
1501-0029	Minor tributaries to DeForest Lake
1501-0035	Mahwah River, Upper, and tributaries
1501-0038	Cranberry Pond, Potake Lake

 

Eligible Projects

• Replacement of a cesspool with a septic system; or
• Installation, replacement or upgrade of a septic system or septic system components;
• Installation of enhanced treatment technologies, including an advanced nitrogen removal system.

Eligible Costs

• Design and installation costs
• Costs of the system
• System components
• Enhanced treatment technologies
• Design costs (limited only to work needed to complete approved design)

Ineligible Costs

• Connecting to public sewer
• Routine maintenance such as pump out of a septic tank
• Expenses that are not appropriately documented
• Government permit fee
• Interest and late fees
• Fines and penalties
• Sales tax payment
• Non-essential site beautification or interior plumbing changes
• Administrative work conducted by the engineer
• Construction observation by the engineer if the engineer, or an entity owned, controlled by or employing the engineer, is also conducting the repair or replacement

How to determine if your project is eligible?

A grant application must be submitted for the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) to determine if your project qualifies. Once completed, the application must be submitted to septic@co.rockland.ny.us.  RCDOH will review applications and determine awards based on compliance with program criteria and availability of funds. Applicants will be notified of their grant award eligibility/status. 

Funds for the Program are limited, and Rockland County can provide grants only to those septic system projects that will significantly and quantifiably reduce environmental and/or public health impacts from cesspools or septic systems, and that connecting to a public sewer system is not an option. If your project is selected for a grant, the RCDOH will notify you of your award and how much you can expect to be reimbursed for your project. RCDOH will also notify you if your project does not qualify for a grant.

If you receive an award letter, you must confirm acceptance of the award and the terms and conditions by signing and returning the letter to RCDOH. Once you sign and return the award letter, you may hire a design professional and a contractor for your septic system project. You will then be required to submit an online application for a New Septic System Plan Approval or Septic Repair Plan Approval, as applicable, at https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/services-directory/self-service-plan-permit-licensing-portal.
 
After you have completed your project, you will be reimbursed up to your grant award, for eligible, documented costs incurred to complete your project.

To learn more about the program and qualifying locations, call the Department of Health at 845-364-2616 or email septic@co.rockland.ny.us.