Property Owners within the Thumb Run, Deep Run, Great Run, and Carter's Run Watersheds may be eligible for federal grant money to help evaluate and make repairs to their onsite sewage disposal systems.

Thumb Run, Deep Run, Great Run, and Carters Run are considered "impaired" streams because they have elevated fecal e coli, coliform, or bacteria levels that exceed the Commonwealth of Virginia's clean water standards. Because these Runs are listed as impaired, federal grant money is being made available to help property owners in these areas evaluate their onsite sewage disposal systems, make repairs, replace failing systems, or install a system for the first time on an existing house.

The grant money, made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, will be distributed by the Fauquier County Health Department to qualifying homeowners for costs incurred from making corrections to their onsite sewage disposal systems. The funds will apply for a minimum of 50 percent of costs for all qualified applicants, and up to 75 percent for those below the median income in Fauquier County.

Upon request, the Fauquier County Health Department will research your property's location to see if it is in one of these affected watersheds, will provide application materials to residents, and help determine if they qualify for the cost-sharing program.

For more information about the program, please email Whitney Wright at the Fauquier County Environmental Health Department or call 540-347-6363 ext.111.