Septic Maintenance Cost Share - Now Taking Applications

ATTENTION: You must be approved for the program BEFORE you have your system serviced. We will not accept applications for work that has already been completed.

Why Maintain Your Septic System?

Save money – prevent backups & extend the life of your system
Safeguard your health & drinking water
Help keep local streams & lakes clean

Septic system repairs and replacements can be costly. Regular maintenance can help keep your system functioning properly and help extend its life. Properly maintained systems can help keep your drinking water clean and reduce pollution into nearby streams and lakes.

To maximize water quality benefits, we are offering cost-share funding to help cover the cost of septic pumping for systems located within 500 feet of a lake or stream. The program will prioritize septic systems: near impaired waters, length of time since last pumping, and age of overall system.

By offering cost-share benefits, we hope to raise awareness and encourage good septic system maintenance to ultimately lead to a healthier watershed for all who enjoy this unique area.

In addition to this cost-share program, we have listed multiple resources at the bottom of this page that are available for everyone including a list of local Septic Pumping Professionals, a link to DEQ’s Impaired Waterways Interactive Map, and various publications with information that can help you extend the life of your septic system.

Questions? Contact the Lake County Conservation District at flatheadsepticprogram@macdnet.org or 406-676-2811, 102

Thank you to everyone maintaining your septic system; you help protect our fragile watershed!

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this program, you must…

Own property in Lake or Flathead County that is supported by an individual septic system
Have NOT had the septic system pumped for at least 3 years
Have a septic system located LESS THAN 500 feet from surface water (see application for details)

Application Instructions: Easy as 1, 2, 3…

1. To apply, select orange button, complete the online form, and select SUBMIT

Septic Reimbursement Application

2. After you have received your approval, select the blue button to download and print Pumper Reporting Form, and give to the Septic Pumping Contractor to complete DURING YOUR INSPECTION.

Septic Pumper Report

3. SCAN & EMAIL completed Pumper Reporting Form along with receipt (proof of payment) to: flatheadsepticprogram@macdnet.org

-OR-

MAIL your report and receipt to: Lake County Conservation District, 64352 US Highway 93 Ronan, MT 59864

Notes:

If you cannot access the online application, call 406-747-0895 to have a paper application mailed to you
Payments are processed monthly on a first-come, first-served basis, for as long as funding is available
Septic pumping completed BEFORE submitting an application is not eligible for reimbursement

General Program Information:

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for as long as funding is available.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial within 2 weeks of submission.
A receipt or other proof of payment AND a Pumper Reporting Form completed by your septic contractor at the time of your pumping, MUST be submitted to the District to be eligible for reimbursement. Looking for a septic contractor? Scroll down to “Additional Resources” for resources in your area.
Applications and questions should be submitted to the Lake County Conservation District at flatheadsepticprogram@macdnet.org OR Lake County Conservation District, 64352 US Highway 93 Ronan, MT 59864.

PLEASE NOTE: Pumping and inspection within this program does not qualify as a real estate inspection!

Additional Resources

List and contacts of licensed septic pumpers in Lake and Flathead Counties: Licensed Pumpers

Need help finding your nearest surface water? Explore the DEQ Impaired Waterways Interactive Map to locate your address and nearby surface water. DEQ Impaired Waterways Map

Want to know more about your septic system and how to care for it? Septic System Care