Dover, Ohio - The Tuscarawas County Health Department is offering a program to help low-income residents improve their septic systems.

Environmental Health Director Caroline Terakedis says they can again help Tuscarawas County homeowners repair or replace their existing septic systems or hook up to the municipal sewer system thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Ohio EPA.

“We received this grant in the past. This is kind of an ongoing grant. We don’t know from year to year whether or not the funds will be available but they have renewed this several times,” she says.

Terakedis says program eligibility is based on financial need and the severity of the failure, although she says people with higher income levels may also qualify for assistance.

“It is income based, so you could receive the entire cost of a new septic system or a portion of the cost of a septic system,” she says. “Just because you don’t qualify as being on the Federal Poverty line, you can still receive some money from this. 

Terakedis says this program will also help them improve water quality in Tuscarawas County.

“The goal is to help out our residents here in Tuscarawas County and also protect our water, make sure everyone’s health and safety is taken care of,” she says.

Terakedis says people can learn more about the program and download an application by visiting the Tuscarawas County Health Department’s website at tchdnow.org.