Oregon offers $2 million in low-interest loans to fix failing septic systems
Oregon is offering $2 million in low-interest loans for homeowners and small businesses to repair or replace failing septic systems.
Malfunctioning septic systems can cause sewage to come to the surface onto the ground or spill into waterways, creating public health hazards and harming natural resources.
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The Oregon Legislature created the loan program in 2016, but funding ran out in June 2020. The Legislature approved the new funding earlier this year.
“By supporting those struggling to repair failing septic systems, we can not only prevent damage to homes and property but also improve public health outcomes for all Oregonians,” Oregon Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, said in a news release.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has partnered with nonprofit lender Craft3 to administer the loans. It has just reopened loan applications.
DEQ estimates that, of the 450,000 septic systems in use across Oregon, 10-20% fail each year.
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The loans cover all eligible costs for permitting, design and installation, and also provide for ongoing maintenance when needed. The loans have variable low rates based on the income of the borrowers and are accessible to borrowers who may not have perfect credit.
They are available to homeowners and to small businesses that use septic systems, such as restaurants, convenience stores and small manufactured home or RV parks.
Before the program was paused, it provided more than $3.6 million in loans to 187 Oregon residents and small businesses to improve or install septic systems.
Loan recipients were in 92 cities and in 28 of Oregon’s 36 counties.
To learn more about the program or to apply, visit Craft3.org/CleanWaterOre.
Tracy Loew is a reporter at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779 or on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew. Support local journalism by subscribing to the Statesman Journal.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon offers $2 million in loans to fix failing septic systems
