Tuscarora Creek Watershed Cost-Share Program

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Berkeley County Board of Health sponsor a cost-share program for homeowners residing in the Tuscarora Creek watershed for upgrades to or replacement of underperforming septic systems. Canaan Valley Institute partners with the DEP and BOH to administer the program.

What Is the Tuscarora Septic Cost Share Program?

The 319 Septic Upgrade Cost-Share Program provides technical and financial assistance to address nutrient and bacterial water quality concerns resulting from septic systems that are failing or in a state of disrepair and not functioning properly. Upgrades may include pretreatment if poor soils are dominant. Homeowners are eligible for a 70% cost-share on the cost to upgrade or replace a failing septic system up to $7,000. Homeowners are required to pay 30% of the cost of any upgrade. In addition, Canaan Valley Institute offers a coupon for 50% off the cost of pumping a functioning septic system, up to $150 off.

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund’s Onsite System Loan Program (OSLP) exists for homeowners who need assistance with the portion of the repair not funded by the DEP program. The Berkeley County Health Department can provide information on the OSLP to help homeowners. Additionally, they can provide technical support to residents with septic system problems and facilitate technical support from outside service providers.

A low dam restoration project showing natural drop in the river and reconnection of the stream with nearby floodplains.

How Does This program Improve the Tuscarora Creek Watershed?

As part of West Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay drainage, Tuscarora Creek watershed represents an opportunity to reduce sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. Berkeley County has a high nitrogen delivery factor, which means that practices done there will have more of a positive effect on the Bay compared to practices done in the more upstream area of WV’s Bay drainage. Therefore, restoration of Tuscarora Creek is of high priority.

Apply today!

West Virginia Department of Energy Logo
Logo of Canaan Valley Institute

Click here for information on the Bay Restoration Fund, or visit the Maryland Department of the Environment’s website at www.mde.state.md.us.

For more information on our program in Berkeley County, West Virginia, please contact us by email at info@canaanvi.org. or visit the Berkeley County Board of Health website.

FAQs

  • Property owners within the Tuscarora Creek watershed in the Martinsburg area with a failing septic system may apply for the septic upgrade cost-share program. The Berkeley County Board of Health will need to assess the system and determine that is failing.

  • No. Homeowners are eligible for a 70% cost-share on the cost to upgrade or replace a failing septic system up to $7,000. Homeowners are required to pay 30% of the cost of any upgrade. In addition, Canaan Valley Institute offers a coupon for 50% off the cost of pumping a functioning septic system, up to $150 off.

  • The grant covers the cost of the BAT (best available technology) system and the installation of the system.

  • The grant does not cover permit fees, recordation fees, electrical upgrades, miscellaneous issues that arise (tree removal, landscaping, etc.). Repair/replacement of drainfields, seepage pits, sandmounds, etc. are determined based on the availability of funds.

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To start the application process, please submit the pre-application form found on our website. We will follow up with you within 5 business days.

  • You can contact us anytime at info@canaanvi.org.