Financial assistance for septic system repairs and/or sewer hook-up is available for residents and landowners in much of the Tracy City area through a grant held by the Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council. Funding for septic system repairs and/or sewer hook-up can cover between 25% and 60% of repair costs, depending on the severity of the problem and household location. To check your eligibility for cost-share assistance on a septic system repair or hooking up to sewer, please call the number below. Areas that are generally eligible include the lands that drain to Clouse Hill Branch, Hedden Branch, and Little Fiery Gizzard Creek in the general Tracy City area.
Residents in these areas are also generally eligible for funding for septic system pump-outs and agricultural projects where best management practices (BMPs) are implemented. Cost-share assistance will cover 50% of costs for pump-outs and up to 85% of project costs for agricultural projects. Examples of BMPs associated with agricultural projects include alternative watering systems to provide clean water for livestock, cross-fencing to establish rotational grazing practices, heavy use area protection for feeding and other areas that have become a mess, stream crossings, walkways, and travel lanes for livestock, and others depending upon specific needs. BMPs are designed to reduce erosion, improve grazing efficiency, and conserve water. Overall, 10 septic system repairs and/or sewer hook-ups, 25 septic system pump-outs, and 6 agricultural projects are anticipated to receive funding.
All projects funded by this grant are intended to improve water quality. Funding is provided by a Clean Water Act grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and administered by Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council, a local, community-based non-profit organization. Local contractors will provide septic system repairs with technical assistance provided by the Tennessee Division of Groundwater Protection. The Natural Resource Conservation Service will assist with agricultural projects. Financial assistance will be considered and implemented with respect to private property rights and under voluntary landowner participation only. These projects are funded, in part, under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nonpoint Source Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Agreement #C9994674-11-0.
For more information about this grant or to see if you are eligible please call or e-mail Joe Simpson, Watershed Project Coordinator, Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council, at 423-718-9445 or jsimpson.setnrcd@gmail.com.
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