Removal of Septic Tanks & Leach Fields in Maryland

Chesapeake Bay is North America's largest estuary.

The Bay Restoration Fund, signed into law in 2004, helps homeowners, farmers and municipalities pay for ways to reduce the excess nitrogen polluting the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Conventional septic systems weren't designed to remove nitrogen. The Bay Restoration Fund charges every sewer disposal system user a $30 annual fee. The resultant funds are used to help users upgrade their existing septic tanks for those that remove nitrogen. It is illegal to alter, repair, remove or install your own septic system in Maryland. Only certified and licensed professionals may remove your septic tank and leach fields.

The septic tank is the part of your system that removes nitrogen so leach fields, seepage pits and trenches are not covered by the grant but your health department may offer low-income owners financial aid options to cover such work.

Things You'll Need

• Bay Restoration Grant Application
• Site Evaluation
• Contractor
• Permit

Instructions

1. 

   The Bay Restoration Fund helps homeowners with septic system upgrade costs.

   Contact your local health department and notify them of any septic system issues. This is required by law. Get funding applications from the health department or the State of Maryland's Department of the Environment.

   Any property owner is eligible for funding but priority is given to those with failing septic systems and those determined to be in critical areas.

   Your application will be processed by your county's Department of Planning and Zoning.

2. 

   Your septic system will be evaluated.

   Wait for the results of a site evaluation. Staff from the Department of the Environment and the Planning and Zoning Office will identify problems with septic tank removal and the new installation. Request a separate evaluation of your leach field as well. These issues will aid contractors in the formulation of their bids for the project.

3. 

   Contractors that install approved systems will make bids.

   Find a contractor. The Department of the Environment lists approved septic tanks and the licensed contractors that install them on the Bay Restoration Fund section of the website. These contractors are also qualified to remove your leach field.

   Calvert County evaluates grant recipient information and selects the best septic system for each site. The county then submits this information on a group basis to contractors and manufacturers for bidding.

4. 

   You'll be able to use your septic system during most of the installation process.

   Agree to the chosen bid, select another septic system or withdraw from the grant program. You will need a county permit to alter or repair your septic system. If you accept the bid, the contractors begin work within 60 days. The septic tank removal and installation will take from 2 to 4 days and you will be able to use your waste water system for most of that period bar 3 to 4 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• The cost of maintaining your new septic system will be between $5 and $25 per month.

• Maryland's Bay Restoration Fund does not cover the required septic tank replacement permit, leach field replacement, upgraded electric service, landscaping or removal of decks, patios and sidewalks. The grant will not cover repair of the system if it is due to owner abuse or neglect.

References

• Septic Tank Info.com: Super Septic Tanks
• The Calvert County Bay Restoration Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
• University of Maryland Extension: FAQs

Resources

• The Department of the Environment