By Brian Bull
Homeowners in the McKenzie Valley area who lost their septic systems to the Holiday Farm Fire can get money to fix or replace them.
Hundreds of residences were leveled or damaged by the 2020 wildfire. With reconstruction still underway, EWEB says it’s expanded a grant program that will provide up to $35,000 to qualified homeowners.
EWEB spokesperson Aaron Orlowski told KLCC that the utility has to allocate over $1 million before September.
“A septic system is crucial, especially when you’re not hooked up to a city system for plumbing,” said Orlowski. “And it can be expensive, so this particular grant program goes a long way towards helping folks rebuild after that disaster.”
Orlowski added that a functional septic system helps homeowners keep their properties sanitary.
“It’s also great for everyone who lives downstream. Because about 200,000 people depend on the McKenzie River as their sole source of drinking water. Anything that we can all do as a community to prevent septic leaks or that sort of thing from going into the river, that keeps that water quality high.”
Eligibility has expanded to properties within the Holiday Farm Fire footprint, and within the McKenzie Watershed above Hayden Bridge. Other qualifications will depend on household income and type of septic system.
During 2023, EWEB allocated 88 grants, amounting to just over $850,000. The total amount from the utility’s Septic System Repair and Replacement Grants program is about $3 million, according to Orlowski.
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