Residential Septic System Education & Maintenance Program Grant

The Residential Septic System Education & Maintenance Program, initiated by the Western Montana Conservation Commission, aims to enhance water quality in Western Montana by reducing pollutants from septic systems. This program provides grants for education, outreach, and best practices in septic maintenance. Eligible applicants include government entities and non-profits that meet specific criteria. Projects must focus on outreach, education, and community involvement to foster long-term behavior change regarding septic system care and water quality preservation.

Summary
The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC), an attachment to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), is seeking applications from eligible entities to serve as partners in programs that reinforce efforts to enhance water quality through the reduction of toxins from stormwater and septic leachate within Western Montana, the headwaters of the Columbia River Basin. WMCC Grant Programs will provide funds to complete projects and programs that address the elimination or reduction of stormwater and septic leachate pollution, reduce runoff, and promote citizen engagement and knowledge through education and outreach efforts. These grant programs aim to support tribal, state, and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and others in implementing the Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Action Plan, as well as activities under the Clean Water Act (CWA) § 123, the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act.
Residential Septic System Education and Maintenance Program Grant
Purpose
Underperforming septic systems can release pollutants into groundwater and waterbodies. Proper maintenance, inspections, and education programs can reduce potential pollutants introduced to ground and surface waters.
The Residential Septic System Education and Maintenance Program Grant has been created to incentivize residential septic system maintenance best practices while increasing knowledge on how septic systems impact water quality to create long-term behavior change). This grant is intended to provide eligible entities with the resources to develop new and support existing, residential septic system maintenance programs that include cost-shares for inspection, pumping, homeowner septic education and planning programs, and maintenance best practices for residential septic systems.
Grant recipients will develop new or expand an existing septic maintenance program. In addition to providing a maintenance cost-share, the program will engage and educate residents about toxic pollution from septic leachate and present participants with an elective Septic Stewardship pledge to reinforce a long-term behavior change commitment to toxic reduction actions. Residents will take part in a survey before and after participation in the program to assess knowledge increase and behavior change commitment.
WMCC staff will provide awardees with resources and capacity support during program development and implementation as needed and as capacity allows for. WMCC has developed a toolkit of materials that may be used by awardees to develop, advertise, and implement their program, including a Septic Stewardship pledge template and survey content for assessing participant knowledge
Grants Awarded
Grants will be awarded until total awards reach $500,000.00.

Eligibility

Eligible ApplicantsApplicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration by the time of award.If an applicant does not have current registration, it is recommended to start the process now to obtain registration as soon as possible.Applicants must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State.Eligible applicants must meet both the State of Montana (MCA 85-1-605) and the EPA sub-recipient requirements (EPA General Terms and Conditions, EPA Subaward Policy).Government OrganizationsNative American tribal governmentsLocal Governments, including but not limited to:CitiesTownsMunicipalitiesCountiesSpecial districtsWater and/or sewer districtsConservation DistrictsSchool DistrictCouncil of GovernmentsLocal public authorityNon-Profit OrganizationsNonprofit organizations as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Limited liability corporations in which all managing members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.Limited liability partnerships in which all general partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.Education OrganizationsTribal CollegeCommunity CollegeOther Institutions of higher educationEligible ProjectsEligible projects will develop or expand residential septic maintenance programs that provide costshare, outreach, and programming on water quality impacts.Eligible projects must:Be located in Western Montana, west of the Continental Divide. Be complete, including final grant reporting, by March 2029. If a project will extend beyond the grant period, an extension may be requested no later than 6 months prior to March 2029 and will need to be approved by WMCC and EPA. Conduct surveys of participants before and after participation to assess knowledge growth. Meet the mandatory cost-share requirements (match)Residential Septic System Education and Maintenance Program Grants require a 25% non-federal costshare which can include nonfederal in-kind.Example Projects & ResourcesFlathead Basin Septic Maintenance Reimbursement Program: a collaborative program supported by WMCC, Lake County CD, Flathead CD, and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).Other examples of eligible projects:Residential Septic System Education and Maintenance Program development that includes:Pumping existing septic tanks Existing septic system inspectionsAssistance for other septic tank maintenanceProgram material development, printing, and advertising Homeowner Septic Planning ProgramsResidential Septic System Education and Maintenance Program expansion or continuation Community or professional conferences or workshops on septic-related educationEligible ExpensesEligible project costs: Administrative costs comply with the 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Project costs are procured in accordance with 2 C.F.R. 200 Part 300.Maintenance and repairProfessional services Septic pumping costsSeptic inspection services Training and educationStaff salaries (up to 50% of staff time can be paid for and 50% must be an in-kind match of hours, with total salary wages to not exceed 25% of the awarded grant)Materials and suppliesOutreach event costs Program advertisingPrinting and publication costs for outreach materialsSigns for advertising programsDigital, radio, and print ads

Ineligibility

Ineligible ProjectsSeptic system replacementPrograms without educational componentsPrograms without a focus on septic system maintenanceWater quality testingIneligible ExpensesDamage repair from a septic backflowSump pumping backflowLandscaping costsNew fixtures including sinks, showers, etc. Methane gas monitoringHazardous waste, other than raw septage from a septic tank, removal and disposalEquipment and capital expensesDonationsEntertainment costs Fundraising costs Lobbying Indirect costs Any others not on this list that do not comply with EPA requirements