GLOCESTER – A program that aims to bring about upgrades to wastewater systems throughout Chepachet village now has an official end date, with property owners encouraged to apply for available funds before time runs out.
Completed applications for financial incentives through the Chepachet Village Septic Improvement Program must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 8. Applications are available to the owners of residential, mixed-use, and commercial property in the village at the Glocester Planning Department in Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike or by request to [email protected].
Successful applicants will receive up to $4,000 for design of a new Onsite Wastewater Treatment System, and another $10,000 at minimum for installation or repair of a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management-approved septic upgrade.
The town received $765,000 in grants to fund the program, including a $250,000 Watershed Implementation Grant from the Southeast New England Program and an additional $465,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The town also set aside $200,000 from funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Informational sessions on the Chepachet Village Septic Improvement Program began last year with town officials working to educate Chepachet Village residents, businesses, and property owners in the target area about financial incentives available to upgrade their septic systems. The incentive funds are focused on Chepachet Village due to its close proximity to the Chepachet River and high-water table, according to town officials. A map of the village published above shows the properties that qualify
“The grant funding that was obtained to fund this program is directly tied to water quality, specifically the Chepachet River,” explained Town Planner Karen Scott. “Therefore, the area of eligible properties is defined by the boundaries of Chepachet Village.”
“I am always on the look out for ways to assist our residents through grant funding,” Scott added. “If I can find other sources of funding that would help other properties outside the eligibility area for this program, I will work to obtain them for sure.”
The outreach to those with properties in the village has been largely successful. Scott noted that the application period opened at the beginning of July, and the town has already received four submissions and is expecting more by the August 8 deadline.
“I would consider any cesspool or non-confirming septic system removed from the Village a success,” she said. “The more septic upgrades we can do overall will have more of an impact on improving drinking water quality in the Village and the surface water quality of the Chepachet River.”
For more information, contact Scott at [email protected] or the program at [email protected].
