Polk County Environmental Services is pleased to announce the availability of a cost-share grant program that is available to property owners in Polk County that have an existing non-compliant septic system. Funds are intended to fix septic systems that are currently failing codes or functionality. These dollars are made possible through a grant received from the Minnesota Clean Water Legacy Act.
There is a limited amount of funding available, and preference for funding will be determined based on household income status, condition of the existing system, and proximity to priority surface waters. Income restrictions do apply. A major goal within the fix-up program aims to fix “imminent public health threats.” Polk County uses HUD/Federal poverty low-income guidelines to group funding grant contributions.
Households must not exceed these income guidelines, must be the landowner’s homestead, not a second dwelling or rental, and applicants will be required to pay any matching requirement upfront if approved. No holding tank septic systems can be installed, and SSTS for new construction of a dwelling does not qualify for the program. The County will provide a cost share grant contributing 60% and up to 80% of installation cost up to a maximum of $12,000 grant dollars.
To learn more about this program, please call Polk County Planning and Zoning at (218) 281-5700. Program applications can also be found on Polk County’s website at www.co.polk.mn.us under the Environmental Services and Planning and Zoning Department page. The deadline to apply for the Septic System Fix-Up Grant Program is June 1, 2023. After this date, the remaining funding will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
