Vermont homeowners can apply now for septic and well repair aid
This is the fourth round of funding for the program, which aims to ensure equitable access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
Eligible homeowners can apply by 3 p.m. Sept. 3, 2025, by submitting an online pre-qualification form. For assistance, contact the Healthy Homes Team at 802-828-0141, 877-344-0354 (toll-free), or ANR.HealthyHomes@Vermont.gov.
Due to limited funding, the DEC will select about 100 priority projects based on income, environmental impact, household demographics and severity of system failure. Awards are expected to be issued in winter 2026, with projects to be completed by September 2027.
To qualify, applicants must have a failed or inadequate on-site drinking water or wastewater system, own and live on a residential property with up to four units, and earn a household income of less than $80,835 per year.
Community groups cannot directly receive awards but can assist homeowners in applying. DEC staff members are available to help those with accessibility needs fill out the pre-qualification form over the phone at no cost.
The Healthy Homes program, first announced in 2021, has already issued over 600 awards with American Rescue Plan Act funding. This fourth round is funded by general state funds.
Homeowners who previously applied but were not selected must submit a new application to be considered for this round.
The DEC is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health. For more information, visit dec.vermont.gov or follow the department on Facebook and Instagram.
'This critical funding will help Vermonters afford costly repairs to their wells and septic systems,' said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. 'Connecting homeowners with these dollars not only ensures equitable access to clean drinking water and sanitation but also furthers our mission to protect both human health and the environment.'
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont offers $3.5M to help low-income homeowners fix systems
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