Rolling Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.

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BIG CEDAR CREEK WATERSHED PROJECT

Project Manager: Susan Pullen

Rolling Hills RC&D is managing a project to address water quality concerns within the Big Cedar Watershed in Polk and Floyd Counties.  See the map to the right for project boundaries.  This project will continue through December 2011.  Click here for a one page fact sheet on the project.

Below are project details.

Agricultural BMP Projects
Agricultural Producers - click here for more information.

Septic Tank Projects

Landowners within the project region that have failing septic systems or have a need for maintenance on their systems are eligible to participate.   All landowners are eligible for cost share of 50% of repairing existing failing septic systems.  Some landowners may also be eligible for a $200 voucher for pumping out their septic systems as part of regular maintenance.

This project may pay for:

• septic tank repairs
• full replacements (if deemed necessary by Environmental Health)
• risers
• correcting grey water problems
• eliminating "straight pipe" waste problems
• regular pumpout maintenance (as approved by Environmental Health)
• decommissioning wells too close to home foundations or septic systems

Note:  All work must be approved by Environmental Health as indicated on repair permit.

Information for landowner participants

The process is outlined below for participation. 

1. Landowner contacts the local Environmental Health Department in appropriate county.
       Polk County -  770-749-2270
       Floyd County - 706-295-6123
2. Environmental Health issues a repair permit to landowner and faxes a copy to Rolling Hills RC&D Office.
3. RC&D sends repair order out to bid to approved septic contractor bid list.   Contractors have seven days to provide bids.  Contractors may contact the landowner during this time to view the problem in order to bid appropriately.
4. Once bids are received, RC&D reviews bids for completeness and determines cost share rate for the project.
5. RC&D meets with landowner and signs an agreement for cost share rate and establishes time frame for completion.
6. Landowner chooses septic contractor from list of bid recipients and schedules work to be completed.
7. Contractor completes work and calls Environmental Health office for inspection prior to final stabilization.
8. Contractor finishes final stabilization and invoices landowner.
9. Landowner sends a copy of the invoice to RC&D.
10. RC&D pays the septic contractor directly the agreed-to rate and the landowner pays the difference.

Please note that all contractors that participate must be on the approved list (they have attended a meeting with RC&D) to obtain training on the project.  Also, work cannot be paid retroactively.  Please contact the Environmental Health office or RC&D office "before" beginning work.  All work approved must be located within the boundaries of the Big Cedar Creek Watershed and must meet local county codes.
 

Septic tank pumpouts will be only approved through a voucher provided at an eligible septic maintenance course. These vouchers are non-transferrable and only good for tanks within the watershed boundaries.  They are to be used only through approved pumpout contractors. 

Information for septic contractors

Septic tank contractors that would like to be considered to participate in this project must attend a RC&D Septic Contractors Training in order to obtain training and information on the project.  If you have not attended a training and would like to be invited to the next training scheduled, please call the Council office.

Septic tank contractors pumping out tanks must provide a ticket to show appropriate disposal prior to reimbursement.  Please remember that septic tank pumpout vouchers are only to be used within the approved watershed boundary.

This project is funded through Environmental Protection Agency 319(h) funding.