Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County onsite septic system owners now have an additional financial resource when they need to repair or replace their systems.

Low-interest loans with flexible terms can be acquired through Craft3, a regional non-profit lender.

“The cost of completing significant repairs or replacement of septic systems can be a barrier for many people,” said Chuck Harman, program manager with Clark County Public Health. “This can lead to improper treatment of sewage, which increases risk to human health and safety in addition to threatening surface and groundwater. We hope that by having this financial assistance program available, people will take advantage of it to make needed repairs.”

Clean water loans are available through a regional program funded, in part, by the Washington State Department of Ecology and operated by Craft3. Members of the program include Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties.

Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 300 septic systems, valued at $7.3 million, have been repaired or replaced.

Sean Hawes with Public Health’s Onsite Operation and Maintenance staff, leads the department’s effort to access additional financing options for county residents.

“We work with property owners on a daily basis to guide needed repairs and replacements for systems that are not performing adequately or have failed,” Hawes said. “We recognize that one of the challenges facing system owners is the cost. Being able to bring this resource to help address those challenges was important to our program.”

Public Health also will share information to septic system providers in the county so they can tell their customers how to apply for low-interest loans.

The county does not make loans or manage the funds. Interested homeowners can visit the county’s or Craft3’s websites to learn more and connect directly with Craft3 to learn how to apply.

For more information, visit:

Financial assistance programs, www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/financial-aid-site-sewage-systems
Craft3 announcement, www.craft3.org/About/News/News-Detail/2018/03/07/clark-and-cowlitz-septic
Craft3 website, www.craft3.org/Borrow/clean-water-loans

Clark County webpage, with links to service providers, www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/site-septic-systems

CONTACT
Chuck Harman
Program manager
Public Health
360.397.8019
chuck.harman@clark.wa.gov