Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

This program is no longer available.

Meramec Region—The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) have partnered to create a grant-loan fund to address failed or failing on-site wastewater treatment systems throughout Missouri, with the objective of improving the state’s water quality.

MDNR has set aside $1 million dollars for the fund. Roughly $250,000 is still available, and regional planning commissions are spreading the word and helping homeowners complete the grant-loan application. Boonslick Regional Planning Commission in Warrenton, who is overseeing the project on behalf of MACOG, will process grant-loan requests.

The program will provide grants and loans to homeowners seeking to repair or replace their on-site private wastewater systems.

“We know there are a lot of failing wastewater treatment systems across our region,” said Bonnie Prigge, executive director of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), St. James. “We hope this loan/grant program will provide the incentive and financial help for homeowners to repair existing systems or install new systems to ensure our clean water for future generations.”

Eligible recipients include homeowners with a failing or failed on-site wastewater treatment system. Homeowners will be required to document that their system is failing, provide evidence of financial need for a grant and must have a sufficient income to make the loan payment and maintain the system. Additionally, the value of the septic improvement cannot exceed the value of the home.

Grants and loans can be made for repair or replacement of private wastewater treatment systems for single-family houses and multi-family housing consisting of four units or less. Contractors approved by each county’s respective health department must install new septic systems. Costs related to the installation of an approved system (such as soils investigation, engineering services and surveying) are allowable expenses.

Funds cannot be used to connect homes to a cluster system or public sewer system or install an on-site system for new construction.

The maximum grant amount is 50 percent of the project, not to exceed $12,500, based up the total project cost and income eligibility. Loan terms will be based on the borrower’s ability to repay, not to exceed $25,000 or 10 years per connection. Participating homeowners must certify they will provide appropriate system maintenance over the life of the loan, complete an online training on operating and maintaining the system and periodically have the system inspected.

Those living in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties should contact Maria Bancroft at MRPC at (573) 573-265-2993 Ext. 114 or by email at mbancroft@meramecregion.org for more information and an application packet. Application packets are also available on-line at www.macogonline.org/onsite.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 25, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.