Still have a septic tank? Hilton Head households can get money to connect to sewer system
Hilton Head homeowners who have septic tanks could be eligible for federal funds to connect them to the public sewage system.
Households can apply for grants from the Town Sewer Connection Program to get their property into the sewer system. The town estimates 800 homes still use septic tanks on the island, according to a press release from the town.
Septic tanks are not suitable for the island.
“The island essentially has two types of soil, and neither one of them is optimal for septic,” Hilton Head Public Service District General Manager Peter Nardi said. “Human wastewater, you don’t want it sitting out in the neighborhood. So from that public health standpoint, from that ecology standpoint, we want to first and foremost provide the access to the public sewer system.”
Hilton Head received $200,000 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding will be split $100,000 each year for two years.
Grant amounts will not be capped at a specific amount, but rather the size of the awards will be based on how many linear feet a house is from the sewer system, Hilton Head Community Planning Manager Missy Luick said.
The new funding is not enough to connect every house still using a septic tank on the island, so low- and middle-income households will get priority, both Luick and Nardi said.
“The Town and other organizations have been working diligently over the years to ensure Island property owners have access to our public sewer system, which protects the environment and is essential for overall public health,” said Mayor John McCann in a press release. “The Town was able to get funding to expand sewer connections and help those still on septic systems to transfer their homes to a safer, reliable sewer network.”
Here’s how to apply
Hilton Head is using the program as a supplement to the local non-profit Deep Well Project’s S.A.F.E. Program, which has been helping connect island homes to the sewer system since 1999 according to the press release.
Homes can qualify for a grant if their household income does not exceed 100% of the median income in the area. Renters are also qualified, but all applicants must occupy the house for which the grant is designated.
The town released a set of income guidelines to help prospective grant applicants determine if they qualified. They range from a one-person household with an annual income not to exceed $60,700, to a household with eight people and an annual income of $114,500 or under.
Applicants must submit an application to The Deep Well Project before requesting funds from the town. Applications can found on the town’s website and emailed to Paperwork@deepwellproject.org.
If ineligible or only entitled to partial aide for the S.A.F.E. Program, Deep Well will refer applicants to the town’s sewer connection program.
For more information about eligibility or other questions, contact Luick at MissyL@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 4:55 AM.
