Today the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management addressed the “numerous inquiries regarding septic system damage eligibility for repair funding”.
Jeremy Zidek with Emergency Management outlined the basis of eligibility.
Zidek: “High ground water is something that is not covered under the State’s Individual and Family Grant Program. However, if there was damages to the septic system between October 27-28, and that’s physical damages to it, repair or replacing the septic system could be an eligible expense.”
Zidek went on to say that systems simply inundated due to the rain water are not eligible for replacement but the State may pay or reimburse for up to 3 months of servicing after the declaration date.
Local resident Anna Boze said the flood waters included sewage.
Boze: “Well we had a savings account at the time of $20,000. That was spent just getting out of the house and finding another house and having to replace all of our furniture because it was covered in what was first sewer water.”
The press release also stated that if damage to septic systems were incurred during the disaster period, applicants may apply for reasonable costs to restore the system to pre-event conditions.
Zidek said that these determinations are done on a case by case basis.