Friends of Lake Monroe has announced the launch of a Septic Maintenance Voucher Program in northwestern Jackson County thanks to funding from the Raymond Foundation. The program will reimburse half the cost of septic system pumping (up to $200) for eligible households in the Jackson County portion of the Lake Monroe watershed. This includes Freetown, Houston, Kurtz, and Spraytown.
Failing septic systems have the potential to release nutrients and E. coli into nearby water bodies like South Fork Salt Creek, which flows into Lake Monroe. Approximately 9,000 households in the watershed rely on septic systems for treating their sewage and roughly half those systems are over 30 years old. Many homeowners are unaware that septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years to maintain functionality.
“Septic system maintenance is crucial to protecting human health and water quality,” said watershed coordinator Maggie Sullivan. “We are very excited to offer this program to increase awareness and adoption of regular maintenance practices like pumping septic tanks every three years.”
Septic pumping vouchers will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis to households with septic systems in the Jackson County portion of the Lake Monroe watershed. Households with a voucher will then be reimbursed for half the cost of septic tank pumping and/or installing a septic tank riser up to $200 for one service or $400 for both. The cost-share program will be available through Oct. 31 or until cost-share funds are exhausted. Applications are available online at www.friendsoflakemonroe.org/septic or by contacting Maggie Sullivan at 812-558-0217.
This program is part of the larger Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan which lays out steps to improve water quality in the lake and its tributaries over the next twenty years. Other initiatives include a cost-share program for soil and water conservation projects, agricultural field days, educational mailers, and presentations at community events throughout the watershed. Funding has largely been provided by grants from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management with additional support from Monroe County and the City of Bloomington.
“If our next grant is approved, we will have an additional $180,000 for soil and water conservation projects in the watershed,” said Sullivan. “We are excited to keep this work going to protect our lakes and streams.”
Friends of Lake Monroe is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was formed to protect and enhance Lake Monroe and its watershed through science, advocacy, and public involvement: working collaboratively with citizens, government, and business to improve and support lake water quality.