CANTON - St. Lawrence County has been awarded $340,000 from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Septic System Replacement Fund Program to repair or replace deficient septic systems located within 250 feet of certain waterbodies, specifically:

• Saint Lawrence River, main stem in the Towns of Hammond, Morristown and Oswegatchie;

• Raquette River, lower, and minor tributaries in the Towns of Potsdam, Norfolk, Louisville and Massena;

• Little River and tributaries in the Towns of Clifton and Fine.

An online mapper is available at: https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/dil/ to help identify these waterbodies. Eligible property types include single family and two-family residences, and small businesses with an existing sewage flow not exceeding 1,000 gallons per day. Seasonal or secondary homes with failed systems, or systems reasonably likely to fail may also be eligible. There is no income eligibility requirement for this program.

The State Septic System Replacement Fund Program’s goal is to reduce the environmental and public-health impacts associated with the discharge from cesspools and septic systems. The State provides participating Counties with funds to work with local property owners. Participating Counties provide grants to reimburse the property owner for up to 50% of the costs (up to a maximum of $10,000) of their eligible septic system project. Additional information may be found at: https://www.efc.ny.gov/SepticReplacement.

In round one of its Septic System Replacement Program, St. Lawrence County utilized $225,000 in program funds to repair or replace 40 septic systems near eligible waterways.

Interested residents should contact St. Lawrence County’s subrecipient, the North Country Housing Council, with questions or to apply: North Country Housing Council, 19 Main St., Canton, NY 13617 or call 315-386-8576.