Many residents of Northwest Arkansas are not served by municipal sewers and use onsite septic systems for their wastewater treatment. The nature of the geology in our area is such that soils are generally rocky and thin.  As a result, the region is particularly vulnerable to failing or ineffective septic systems, and residential waste is one of the contributing factors to the impaired waterbodies within the Illinois River Watershed.  In support of our mission to improve the ecological integrity of the watershed, the IRWP Septic Tank Remediation Program was initiated to improve water quality by assisting homeowners in the watershed with having these failing systems replaced or repaired.  

This program is funded by the Arkansas Natural Resources Division (ANRD) through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and provides financial assistance to homeowners living in the watershed.  Approved systems are eligible for funding of the cost of remediation up to $30,000, provided as a combination of grant (no repayment required) and low interest loan financing.  The percentage of funding provided as grant vs. loan is based on income.

Program Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for this program, the following criteria must be met:

The property address is located within the Illinois River Watershed The property is owned by one or more individuals, not by a corporation or third party entityThe property is served by a single-residence onsite wastewater (septic) systemThere is a septic system failure that has been documented by the Arkansas Department of HealthThe property owner(s) agree to sign a mortgage agreement to secure the loan portion of the project funding

Watershed Lookup

To determine which watershed your property is located in, please use the Find My Watershed tool provided by the Arkansas Watershed Information System.  Enter the property address into the query field at the top of the page and click GO to search.  Look for the name under “8-Digit HUC” on the right side of the page.  If this says Illinois, then you are in the Illinois River Watershed and eligible to apply for this program!  

Please note that if your property is located in the Beaver Reservoir watershed, there is a sister program to this initiative for that watershed managed by Ozarks Water Watch.  Questions for that program can be directed to septic@ozarkswaterwatch.org.  

If you are not located in either the Illinois or Beaver Reservoir watersheds, please contact the Environmental Health Specialist at your county health unit for other potential assistance opportunities in resolving septic problems. 

Pre-Evaluation by the Arkansas Department of Health

The next requirement is that the system is confirmed by the Health Department to be failing and in need of remediation. Once determined that the property in question is located in the Illinois River watershed, please contact the Environmental Health Specialist for your county (see Resources).  Explain that you are interested in participating in the watershed-based septic remediation program and would like to request an evaluation of your system to determine if your system is failing and will be eligible for participation.  The Environmental Health Specialist will provide instructions to proceed based on the age and condition of your septic system.

How to Apply

A step-by-step outline for applying to and participating in the Septic Tank Remediation Program are provided here: Process Steps Document

Please complete the Application Qualification Form.  The form can be submitted in one of three ways:

Complete and submit online here https://forms.gle/v3Q2L7zASyzNkeC78Complete this version [form link] and send by email to septic@irwp.orgComplete this version [form link] and submit by mail to:

STRP
Illinois River Watershed Partnership
P.O. Box 205
Cave Springs, AR  72718

Once the Qualification Form is received, IRWP staff will contact the applicant to review.  When eligibility is determined, IRWP will send the full application material packet which includes instructions, the application, terms of  agreement and additional documentation required.  This form and required attachments can be completed and returned by email or through the mail.  IRWP will clarify any questions with the applicant and provide approval for participation when all criteria are met.  

Next Steps

Following application approval, the homeowner will then be instructed to contract with a licensed Designated Representative (see Resources) to design the remediation and perform necessary soil analysis.  The Designated Representative will initiate the permit.  

Once the construction permit is approved, the homeowner will acquire 3 quotes from licensed installers (see Resources) to perform the repair or replacement indicated.  The homeowner will provide the three quotes to IRWP along with their selection of the installer to work with.  If the homeowner is not choosing the lowest quote, they will also need to provide an explanation of why the chosen installer was selected.  IRWP will provide the go-ahead for the homeowner to hire the installer once approved.

After work is completed and the system has passed inspection by the county Environmental Health Specialist, the homeowner will provide final invoices from the Designated Representative and Installer along with a copy of the completed permit and attachments.  IRWP will include the project with the monthly funding request sent to the Arkansas Natural Resources Division (ANRD).  IRWP and the homeowner will execute the loan agreement for the zero-interest loan portion of the funding.  ANRD will issue payment to IRWP who will reimburse the homeowner for approved costs.  The homeowner will issue payment for any outstanding balance to contractors within 5 business days of receipt.  Monthly loan payments will be made to IRWP until the loan portion is paid in full.

Please contact the IRWP program manager by emailing septic@irwp.org or by phone at (479) 203-7084 with any questions at all regarding this program or other septic care and operations concerns.

This program is funded through a grant from the Arkansas Natural Resources Division.