It seems to me that government programs to help homeowners update an aging decentralized wastewater infrastructure are on the rise. Thanks to the power of the Internet and Google Alerts (if you haven’t used them, Google the term) I am frequently directed to stories on a town, county or city somewhere promoting incentives to people to fix or replace their ailing septic systems.
Another example popped up in my email this morning. Rice County, Minn., reported a number of Clean Water Legacy grants were available to help homeowners update their septic systems. A Voluntary Septic Upgrade Incentive Rebate Program offers $300 to homeowners who fix a system that poses a health threat. A Septic Loan Program offers low interest rates to complete repairs. A 50 Percent Cost-Share Grant Program for low-income residents helps cover new system construction.
Random stories about these incentive programs prompted a question: What can installers do to promote similar programs to encourage healthier onsite systems in their own communities? That includes urging local officials to tap into federal Clean Water Act programs, for instance, or legislate their own incentive programs to replace aging septic systems.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I am developing a little background in the art of political persuasion these days. In the midst of serving a term as alderman in my local city of about 20,000 people, I receive calls from residents wanting to sway my opinion on any variety of issues, everything from major downtown building projects to a street-parking squabble between two neighbors.
What I’ve determined is that sound arguments, well presented, can rouse a local board or council to action. Now I realize that convincing an entire group of local elected officials to agree with your position can be like herding cats, but passionate parties can certainly make enough headway to set a course on an important issue.
I would argue that repairing our onsite system infrastructure is one of those important issues, and that onsite installers are a passionate party that can speak out and make a difference. And it seems to me that installers are in a no-lose situation when it comes to promoting system upgrades. Sure, these incentives would bring more work for installers. But finding ways to repair and replace these systems is just the right thing to do for everyone in the community.
So if you want to call your county board representative, town board chairman or local health officer to encourage action on onsite system incentives, here are a few arguments that might get them to take notice:
Let’s clean up the environment.
Who doesn’t want a pure groundwater supply? Few images are more compelling than the prospect of a failing system leaking septage or inadequately treated effluent into the drinking water supply or our treasured lakes and streams. Do local officials want to do something to end the closings at their local beach in the summer? Do they want to find a solution to algae blooms that threaten the fish populations and irritate lakefront homeowners? You can bet that stopping contamination from failing septic systems is a cause local elected officials can get behind.
Promote economic development.
Like schools and effective public safety, proper sanitation is a basic driver to economic development in any community. Ensuring problem onsite systems are cured and that incentives are available to replace older systems will encourage people to build new homes and companies to locate in your community.
Raise the tax base.
When a septic system is upgraded, the attached home or commercial building becomes more valuable. Sales prices go up and the tax base is expanded. An increased tax base brings in more dollars to fund other improvements, like a new fire truck, a ball diamond at the park or new streetlights. Those improvements make the community a more desirable place to build, raising the tax base again.
Help the elderly and low-income homeowners.
Since a new septic system is a major expense, retirees on a fixed income and those living paycheck to paycheck will put off necessary upgrades. If failed systems are allowed to deteriorate further, the most vulnerable people in our community might lose their homes. That’s no way to treat our elders or struggling families, is it? Incentives might provide the boost necessary to make a difference for these residents.
Encourage an end to blight.
Failing septic systems are just one symptom of a blighted neighborhood. Buried underground, they are not as obvious to the passerby as peeling paint or an unkempt yard, but they are a serious threat to the community. Surfacing wastewater causes odors and a public health hazard. If we don’t strengthen community standards for wastewater treatment, blight will worsen, making neighborhoods undesirable to live in.
Support a local industry.
Companies like yours generate good local jobs with family-sustaining wages. Installers maintain offices, buy supplies and equipment and provide a valuable service. Onsite project incentives will generate more work for your company, allowing you to create more local jobs to fuel the local economy. The more revenue you bring in, the more money your workers will have to spend at other local businesses, boosting the health of the entire community.
Prevent neighbor complaints.
Believe this: Your local elected officials don’t enjoy being drawn into squabbles between neighbors, and they will be receptive to ideas that can short-circuit frequent neighbor complaint calls. Failing septic systems can be the root cause of some of the nastiest neighborhood battles, and with good reason. Nobody wants to live next to a home with wastewater surfacing in the backyard. Your local representatives can relate to this scenario and want to prevent these situations from occurring.
YOU’RE THE BEST WASTEWATER ADVOCATE
As the editor of your trade magazine and as a local elected official, I’m encouraging you to speak up on behalf of an improved septic system infrastructure. Your background gives you unique insights into the state of onsite wastewater treatment in your community. Your opinions and recommendations would be well received … I’m certain of that.
