Property owners who need to replace their septic systems may get some financial relief from the county.

 

Last week, Sherburne County Zoning Administrator Nancy Riddle and environmental specialist John Exner introduced a program that would offer low interest loans to people who need the get their septic systems in compliance.

 

“Septic systems have gotten very expensive,”said Riddle. “It’s very stressful for people with failing systems.  It’s stressful for our staff because we have to make sure they upgrade within a certain period of time.”

 

The loan is offered by the MN Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) through its AgBMP (best management practices) program. It is the same program Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District has administered for years for water quality projects. But because landowners must qualify for that loan from AgStar Financial, participation has been low.

 

In the case of septic compliance, the county would borrow money from AgBMP and serve as the local lender to property owners to upgrade their septic systems. 

 

Exner said it’s often difficult for property owners to come up with the money to pay for a new system, which in some cases might be $15,000 to $20,000. And in many cases, it’s a surprise.

 

Septic inspections are required whenever a property is transferred. Sometimes a septic system passes inspection. But some receive a “notice of non-compliance,” which means they have to be upgraded.

 

That happened to Bob Wilts of Big Lake Twp. when his father passed away.

 

“We knew the system on his house was installed in 1968,” says Wilts. “We knew it wouldn’t pass today’s standards.”

 

What he and his wife, Judy didn’t know was how much it would cost to replace.

 

There was the $250 inspection fee. Then came the $600 design fee. The new system was pressurized, which meant they needed an electrician, plus removing and replacing two tanks. That cost was $12,500.

 

“It’s an incredible amount of money,” says Wilts.

 

He said some people are on a fixed income and could never afford to replace their septic system.

 

 “Some people can’t even handle a couple hundred dollar car repair,” he says.

 

Exner said that’s the biggest reason for offering the loan program. It not only protects water quality, it allows homeowners to upgrade their systems without spending money they don’t have.

 

And it’s a big issue. Exner said there are currently 10 systems identified as failing and have exceeded their 18-month compliance requirement. Another 13 systems are still within their 18-month boundary, but have been sent violation notices.

 

As for property transfer violations, in 2016 there were 91 properties that have yet to submit their certificates of compliance.

 

If the county board approves the compliance program, the county would borrow $200,000 from the MDA and offer loans up to $20,000 per project. Terms would be 10 years for projects greater than $5,000 and five years for smaller loans.

 

The money can be used on replacing a non-compliant system on a single-family home for installation, plumbing and electrical work, holding tanks, seeding over the installation area, connection to a municipal sewer system if applicable and installing a new water well if required.

 

 It can’t be used for land acquisition or installation of a system on a new home.

 

The loan would be paid back as a special assessment with property taxes.

 

Exner said the next step would be to enter an agreement with MDA. That agreement would be presented to the county board for approval.