Trumbull homeowners may get septic-system assistance

Trumbull County has among the highest number of failed septic systems in the state, officials have said.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — As many as 30 Trumbull County homeowners with failing septic systems are expected to qualify for financial assistance that will pay 75 percent of the cost of replacing or repairing their system.

County commissioners are expected to approve a resolution today that will supply $75,000 to be paired with $225,000 in federal stimulus money. The funds are being channeled through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Julie Green, grants coordinator for the Trumbull Planning Commission, said she will submit the application to the OEPA Wednesday and expects to hear back within about a month on whether the entire $225,000 is approved.

The state has $5 million to give to all 88 counties, she said.

To be eligible, a homeowner needs to have a family income no greater than 200 percent of the gross family income poverty guidelines. For instance, a family of four must have a gross annual income of no more than $44,100.

The program requires the county to have contractors in place and ready to build or repair the septic systems within 60 days of today, Green said.

That means Green and the Trumbull County Health Department will have about 30 days to determine which households are eligible for the money and about 30 days for three contractors to do the work, Green said.

For information on the program, call Green at (330) 675-2480.

Local officials say Trumbull County has one among the largest number of failed septic systems in the state.

Green said the $75,000 from the county will be placed in a the Home Sewage Treatment Fund to pay the 25 percent “matching money” required by the OEPA. The county would pay the 25 percent, and the benefiting homeowners would repay the county over time.

In June, the Trumbull County Health Department sent letters to about 400 homeowners with failing systems, notifying them that the stimulus money might be available, Green said.

Since the letters went out, eligibility requirements changed, Green noted.