The Community Septic Management Program

The purpose of this program is to provide funding in the form of low-cost loans to allow communities to devise a Community Inspection Plan or a Local Septic Management Plan. Both plans must always include the provision of financial assistance to homeowners using betterment agreements.

Community Septic Management Program (CSMP) Form

The community devises a plan to protect environmentally sensitive areas from contamination from septic systems. Inspections must be performed every seven years. This plan relieves property owners covered under the plan of their obligation to have the septic system inspected upon transfer of ownership.

Community Inspection Plans must include:

a. Scope and basis for the plan
b. Prioritization of areas to be inspected
c. Proposed schedule for system inspections
d. Interim maintenance measures
e. Legal and jurisdictional bases for establishment and enforcement of the plan
f. System for monitoring inspections
g. Proposed source of funding for administration and identification of revenue sources
h. Proposed budget for administration and inspection
i. Staffing plan
j. Outreach and education strategy

The following are required after the Plan has been in operation:

k. Annual status report
l. Evaluation report to DEP after completing first time inspections

This plan identifies, monitors and addresses proper operation, maintenance and upgrade of septic systems in a comprehensive manner. This plan does not require periodic inspection, neither does it relieve the obligation to have the system inspected at time of property transfer.

Local Septic management Plans must include:

a. Identification and prioritization of areas containing systems that warrant more regular monitoring and maintenance and/or upgrade.
b. Development of a DEP approved database system for tracking the inspection of septic systems; this database must also track whether failed systems are being upgraded in accordance with timelines outlined in Title 5.
c. Development of requirements and a schedule for periodic pumping and other routine maintenance of systems covered by the program.

Community Activities suggested under the Management Plan

a. Create administrative structure to manage program
b. Prioritize environmentally sensitive or threatened areas
c. Notify public
d. Prepare priority list
e. Determine selection criteria for loans
f. Develop betterment agreements
g. Administer repair of septic systems
h. Administer loan repayment