Homeowners and business owners in the Indian River Lagoon watershed in Brevard County, Florida, now are eligible for larger grants to pay for state-required septic upgrades, multiple media outlets reported. Brevard County commissioners unanimously voted to guarantee a $6,000 cost-share for homes and businesses that qualify for nitrogen-reducing septic systems.
The state of Florida designated the watershed for water quality restoration because of high nitrogen levels that harm the lagoon and kill seagrass, the primary food source for manatees. State law requires properties in the watershed to upgrade to a nitrogen pollution reducing septic system or connect to sewer by 2030.
Residents can apply to Brevard County’s Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) program for financial assistance of $6,000 to $20,000 for each parcel they own. Previously, funding assistance was based on the level of nitrogen pollution the septic system would produce, with no minimum award set.
The $6,000 of guaranteed funding is in place for a year-long trial period. The program is funded by state grants and the SOIRL half-cent sales tax.
Grant funds to assist Michigan watershed area with failing septic systems
Eight projects in the state of Michigan will share $2.9 million in grants to assist watersheds that struggle with agricultural runoff and failing septic systems, MLive reported. The grants are a combination of state and federal funds. One of the grant recipients, the Thornapple River Watershed, will use the funds to help homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems.
North Carolina DEQ distributing funds to repair infrastructure, septics damaged by Helene
North Carolina will distribute $270 million to repair the infrastructure in mountain towns damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, multiple media outlets reported. The Department of Environmental Quality distributed financial awards to 58 water, septic, and wastewater projects in 26 western counties. One of the awards went to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments. The council received $7.6 million, earmarked for repairing about 300 damaged septic systems in 11 counties.
The funding is part of the 2025 State Revolving Fund Supplemental Appropriations for the Hawaii wildfires and hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Housing Partnerships receives grant to assist in emergency home repairs for low-income residents in Virginia
Housing Partnerships Inc. in Virginia received a $50,000 grant to expand its aging-in-place and home repair services, reported the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. Impact 100 Greater Peninsula presented the award to Housing Partnerships Inc., a nonprofit that assists low-income families and individuals. HPI assists with emergency repairs, like failing septic systems, and also does home repairs, constructs accessibility ramps and performs other home safety modifications.
West Virginia investing in septic rehabilitation, environmental conservation
West Virginia is investing more than $15 million in 2025 for environmental conservation, septic rehabilitation, and water/sewer upgrades, WTAP reported. The funds will be used to finance more than 20 projects. The projects include septic rehabilitation and environmental conservation projects managed by the West Virginia Conservation Agency in Berkeley County, Hampshire County, and Putnam County.
