With funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) is requesting proposals to manage a Financial Assistance for Sewer and Septic program.
Donor Name: King County
State: Washington
County: King County (WA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/28/2023
Size of the Grant: $280,000
Grant Duration: 2 years 7 months
Details:
The goal of the program is to help people take action to keep their wastewater systems functioning properly, which will include developing educational resources.
King County EHS seeks to protect public health and prevent water pollution due to malfunctioning or failing on-site sewage system (OSS) and illicit stormwater connections to side sewer lines or leaking side sewers.
The purpose of the rebate program is to provide educational resources (e.g., video, mailer inserts, info-sessions) and a discounted service fee to property owners who perform OSS and side sewer maintenance and repairs within the project timeframe to incentivize system maintenance and project participation.
- The rebate program for side sewer connections will offer up to $5,000 of financial assistance per household for disconnecting illicit connections, lining, or making repairs to the existing side sewer connections. Technical assistance will be provided by Department of Natural Resources and Parks to educate homeowners and renters about alternative solutions for managing stormwater (i.e., raingardens, infiltration trenches, dispersion, etc.).
- The rebate program for OSS maintenance will offer up to $500 per household for maintenance activities including inspection, pumping, or riser installations ($250 for inspection, $250 pumping, $50 for riser up to 2 risers). Technical assistance will be provided by PHSKC, and contractor as needed to educate homeowners and residents of properties served by OSS about regular OSS maintenance tips and guidance. $5,000 grants for small OSS repairs will also be available for projects that meet eligibility criteria, which will be determined in collaboration with PHSKC.
The contractor will complete the following three elements, in collaboration with EHS staff: –
- Develop educational resources about side sewer maintenance tips and OSS maintenance tips using existing workshops and videos for property residents
- Design an educational material (e.g., mailer insert) to be included in sewer utility mailers, posted on social media, and embedded in municipal newsletters and websites
- Create and implement a plan to track rebate applicants’ completion of required activities and to timely and accurately distribute rebates, and facilitate an info-session about rebate administration for OSS and sewer industry service providers
Funding Information
- The total funding amount of $280,000 is available for this project. This includes $240,000 to be distributed as rebates and $40,000 for the implementation of the project.
- The funding is expected to cover project costs for a period between October 16, 2023, and May 31, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible organizations include public and non-profit organizations. Examples of eligible organizations include community-based organizations and quasi-governmental agencies.
- Experience developing online educational resources and distributing educational materials c
- Familiarity with environmental topics
- Experience effectively administering at least 1 rebate / voucher or similar program, preferably using Federal funds.
- Organizations making application should have a current presence in King County, Washington.
- Experience developing effective advertising campaigns.
For more information, visit OSS Sewer Rebate.
