Funding available for septic system repair and replacement in Lampasas River watershed
Residents who participate can reduce system failures, increase regional water quality
The Lampasas River Watershed Partnership is coordinating a septic system repair and replacement program for residents in the Lampasas River watershed to help improve and protect water quality. Residents of the watershed may be eligible for up to $8,000 to repair or replace failing systems.
The Lampasas River Watershed Partnership is a collaborative effort by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and local stakeholders to address water quality concerns within the Lampasas River watershed.
This is the second round of federal grant funding available to offset the costs of repairing or replacing approximately 20 septic systems within the watershed. The Lampasas River watershed encompasses parts of Mills, Hamilton, Lampasas, Coryell, Burnet, Bell and Williamson counties.
“Funding is available to homeowners to repair or replace failing septic systems within the watershed, as part of implementation of the Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan,” said Lisa Prcin, AgriLife Research senior research associate and Lampasas River Watershed coordinator, Temple.
She said with the first round of funding they were able to replace 20 failing septic systems for Lampasas River watershed residents.
More information about the grant program can be found at http://www.lampasasriver.org/ossf, including the general eligibility, needs assessment criteria for participation and an interactive map of the watershed boundaries. The application can also be downloaded from the website.
For questions regarding the grant program or to submit an application, contact Prcin at 254-774-6008 or by email at [email protected]. For information about septic systems in Texas, visit http://ossf.tamu.edu/.
Home septic systems, also known as on-site sewage facilities, are used to treat wastewater before it is dispersed on the property. Malfunctioning systems can contaminate waterways with bacteria and other pollutants that pose a threat to human and aquatic health.
Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan
The protection plan was developed and implemented by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership to address water quality concerns within the Lampasas River watershed. This effort includes helping homeowners repair and/or update their systems.
“The Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan was accepted in 2013 and efforts have been underway to secure technical and financial assistance to implement portions of the plan and improve water quality across the watershed,” Prcin said.
“During the creation of the plan, stakeholders identified failing septic systems as a major contributor of bacteria in the watershed,” Prcin said. “A goal of the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership was to reduce the number of failing septic systems.”
Funding and support for the Lampasas Watershed Protection Plan is provided through Clean Water Act nonpoint source grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
