Septic FAQs

How do I know if I am on a septic system?

This is a very common question. It may not be immediately clear, especially for a new homeowner, that home is on septic. You are most likely on a septic system if you are on well water (not on the city water utility), the water line coming to your house does not have a meter, your neighbors are on septic, and/or you live in a rural area. If you are on city water but unsure about city sewer, look to see if there are any sewer charges on the bill. If not, you may be on septic. Contact the Environmental Health Specialist at your local County Health Unit to be sure.

Is my septic system eligible?

Those living in the watershed with a failing septic system may be eligible. Read through the Program Description on the main Septic Tank Remediation Program page to understand eligibility.

What if I rent my home?

As a renter, your home is eligible for participation as long as the property is owned by one or more individuals and not by a third party entity such as a company or organization.  The owner of the home will need to complete the application and follow the program steps for remediation of the system located at the property.

Are decentralized community wastewater systems such as neighborhood treatment plants eligible for participation in this program?

Community systems serving multiple homes are not covered. Only single-residence systems are addressed by this program.

Are residential properties owned by a business or organization eligible for the program?

They are not. Eligible properties must be owned by one or more individuals and not by a third party entity such as a company or organization.

Am I eligible to participate if I have received a design, but have not hired an installer yet?

Yes! Provided that all eligibility requirements are met (the home is located in the Illinois River watershed, the Health Department confirms that the system is failing or otherwise in need of replacement, and program terms are agreed to), then the home is eligible for program assistance. Complete the Application Qualification Form and contact the Program Manager with any questions. Do NOT hire an installer without submitting an application and receiving approval to do so from IRWP. Hiring an installer without following program steps may eliminate your home from program participation.

Are general maintenance issues such as clog removal or tank pump-out covered by this program?

No. This program exists strictly for the repair or replacement of failing or otherwise inadequate systems. Please see the Septic System Maintenance page for guidance on appropriate care to maximize the life and effectiveness of your system.

Are plumbing failures “upstream” of the septic tank covered by this program?

No. This program provides assistance for necessary repairs or replacements of septic systems only. Plumbing repairs inside the home are not a covered benefit.

Will I be required to pay anything up front while awaiting program approval and funding?

The contracting for system design and installation is strictly between the homeowner and the septic professionals. The Designated Representative and Installer may require payment of a portion or all of the amount due at the time of service. It is important to be sure that arrangement is understood prior to selection of the provider. Please direct any questions from the contractor about the program to the Septic Tank Remediation Program Manager (Matt Taylor).

How long after the project is complete can I expect to receive reimbursement?

After final invoices and a signed permit for operation are received, IRWP will include the funding request for your property with the next disbursement submission to the Arkansas Naturals Resources Division. IRWP submits project funding requests once per month. Final documents received by the 14th of the month will result in payment issue by the 10th of the following month. So it is important to provide final documents as soon as they are available.

If I am eligible, what portion of my assistance will be provided as grant vs. loan funding?

Approved systems will receive financing for the septic remediation project as a combination of loan and grant dollars based on the following income eligibility table.  Income for this program is determined as the taxable income of the homeowner.  In the case of joint ownership, the combined taxable income of all homeowners is considered.

If I qualify, can I decline the loan portion of the assistance and only accept the grant funds?

Yes. Request a Loan Declination Statement from the Program Manager to decline loan financing. The grant portion for which you are eligible will not be affected by the decision to forgo loan funds. Please keep in mind also that there is no prepayment penalty associated with the loan funding which can be retired at any time regardless of the established terms.

How will my income tier be determined if I have a cosigner on my home loan?

A cosigner on your home loan will not be considered in the determination of your income tier for grant proceeds through this program. Only the income of those with title to the home are considered. In the case of joint ownership, the sum of all owner incomes is used for this program.

What is a mortgage agreement and how does it affect my home loan? 

The mortgage agreement is one of two documents required in order to receive the zero-interest loan component of the program funding.  The other document is the promissory note which is the actual loan contract.  The mortgage agreement is strictly a method of securing the zero-interest loan.  It is an agreement that establishes IRWP as a lien holder on the property for the amount of the loan contracted in the promissory note.  It is similar to the mortgage agreement on a home loan (often called a "mortgage loan" which can cause some confusion) in that it is an agreement to use the property as colateral to secure the loan, but it does not affect the agreement with your primary lender in any way.  

Another common question is, "what happens to the mortgage agreement and loan contract when the home is sold?"  Most commonly, the mortgage agreement will be retired when the loan is paid off using proceeds from the sale.  This is the same way the mortgage is typically retired on your home from your primary lender.  There are other legal arrangements regarding transfer of security instruments to new owners, but retiring existing debt and liens is the most common.  

I am not aware of any obvious signs of failure, but I would like to have my system evaluated to be sure it is not leaching contaminants into neighboring water systems.  Who should I contact to have my system looked at?

Contact a licensed Designated Representative, Installer, or CMP to inspect the system, see links to professional lists on our Resource Page. If it is time to have the tank pumped, ask the licensed pumper to evaluate the condition of the tank during the pumping service.

If I know I have a septic system but cannot recall ever having it pumped, what should I do?

Schedule a licensed Septic Pumper to service the system and recommend a regular service frequency. Ask the pumper to evaluate the tank during service to identify any potential problems and maintenance suggestions.