The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) through Hernando County will provide incentive payments for eligible recipients of up to $7,500 per installation to encourage homeowners to voluntarily remediate existing conventional septic systems. All payments will be made on the homeowner’s behalf directly to the licensed contractor. This program encourages homeowners located in eligible areas to make improvements and to offset the costs of those improvements.

The purpose of the Hernando County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program is to encourage homeowners to voluntarily remediate existing conventional septic systems also known as Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) to include nitrogen reducing enhancements.

The incentive program is intended to offset a portion of homeowner costs by providing certified septic system installers and licensed plumbers with up to $7,500 for the installation of enhanced nitrogen-reducing features to existing homes within Hernando County that are located within the Weeki Wachee Springs Priority Focus Area.

Hernando County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program Qualifications

In order to qualify for the program, your property address must be located within the designated Weeki Wachee Springs Priority Focus Area (PFA). To find out if you are in the program area, contact Tara Reynolds by calling 850-681-3717.

Your property address must not be located within an area designated for sewer connection. You must own the property in which you are applying septic upgrades for, and you must not be delinquent on property taxes for any given tax year.

Construction Process

All work included in the contract will be between the homeowner and the contractor. The homeowner will select a contractor from the list of participating contractors to perform the enhanced septic upgrade work. All work will be awarded to licensed plumbers/septic contractors in compliance with grant specifications and licensing requirements.

Contractors will be paid with grant funds with a limit of $7,500 maximum award amount. Contracts exceeding this amount must be paid for with homeowner funds once the $7,500 maximum has been reached. At contract signing, the homeowner must make payment to the contractor for the contract amount that exceeds the $7,500 limit.

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in the Hernando County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program. Eligible applicants will be served on a first come/first served basis. All signatures must be in blue ink to distinguish originals from copies. Scanned, faxed, or email copies of applications will not be accepted.

Please submit a copy of your warranty deed or a copy of your property card from the property appraiser’s office. All property taxes must be current, each applicant will be reviewed and if property taxes are not current, you will not be eligible for grant funding until all past due property taxes are paid.

If you have a question or problem, you may contact Tara Reynolds, Government Services Group, Inc. at the following number: (850) 681-3717.

Applications for assistance in the program are accepted on a first come, first served basis, as funds are available. For more information, visit Septic Upgrade Incentive Program | Hernando County, FL