Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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September 19, 2008

Loan program to allow McDowell residents to properly dispose sewage

By CHARLES OWENS

WELCH — The lack of modern sewage-treatment facilities in communities across McDowell County has long been a concern of area health officials.

Now, citizens are being asked to help tackle the long-standing health concern while also increasing the value of their homes. A new “on-site loan program” funded by the Department of Environmental Protection to SAFE Housing and Economic Development Inc., aims to help property owners install private septic systems for their homes.

“McDowell and Wyoming counties are two of the counties that are not up to par with sewage treatment,” Brandee Ellis, a loan originator and housing counselor with the SHED program, said. “We hope they will take advantage of this program because it is very rarely that you get a loan for 2 percent.”

Although sewage treatment facilities are now operational or under construction in some McDowell County communities, others are still lacking modern wastewater treatment facilities with direct sewage discharge from homes often going into area creeks and rivers

In addition to helping to increase property value, Ellis said the septic systems also help to clean-up the environment and the local communities. Ellis said homeowners living in communities not currently served by sewage treatment facilities are encouraged to consider the loan program.

Seven families have already utilized the loan funds. Ellis said the loans have no income or house value restrictions. The loan is for 2 percent interest for a period of 10 years.

“This is a chance for anyone who had thought about putting in a septic system to do it now because you will not be able to find a lower rate anywhere,” SHED Director Cathy Rose said.

Ellis said interested homeowners must simply meet the qualification guidelines set by the DEP. Although the program is new, Ellis said officials are hoping to get more citizens of McDowell and Wyoming counties to take advantage of it.

“We have had public meetings in Wyoming County to get the word out on this program, and also the local sanitarians have been very helpful in getting this information out,” Ellis said.

“The only real restriction is that we do not allow funding of home aerated units with surface discharge,” John Tingley, of the DEP, said in a press release. Those units with subsurface discharge will be permitted.

Ellis said any citizen interested in getting a low-interest loan for a private septic system can call SHED at its Kimball office at 585-7440.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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