The Lawrence County Commissioners have been awarded funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to help with the repair/replacement of a failed sewage treatment system through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.

Criteria for funding are dependent on household income on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2012 Poverty Guidelines.

If the combined income for a household is below 100 percent of the poverty level, 100 percent of the project costs will be paid. If you income level is above the 100 percent poverty level, 85 per cent of the system costs will be paid. The remaining 15 per cent must be remitted to the commissioners before work can commence. The WPCLF Program is intended for homeowners only.

Applications can be acquired from the Lawrence County Health Department. Applications should be made as soon as possible while the program is still available. A copy of a homeowner’s property deed and income information in the form of a statement letter from an income source such as employer, Social Security Administration, Bureau of workman’s Compensation, etc. for the previous 12 months. Statements are required for every person 18 years or older residing on the property.

The OEPA will evaluate the septic design information submitted by the Local Health Department and bids will be submitted by installers for each homesite. After the OEPA approves the septic installation, the successful installer will receive a “Notice to Proceed” statement for homeowners receiving 100% loan forgiveness. Homeowners receiving 85 per cent loan forgiveness will be requested to remit the 15 per cent owed to the commissioners before work can commence.

The installer will contact a sanitarian from the health department for a final inspection of the system prior to backfilling. The health department will then contact the commissioners that the installation is finished and request payment form the OEPA for the installer. The commissioners will pay the installer directly.

Please contact Paul O’Banion, Director of Environmental Health; at (740) 532-3962 should you have any questions concerning the application or project.