Chelan, Douglas & Grant Counties Among New Counties Eligible for State Septic Loan Program

The entire state - including Chelan, Douglas and Grant counties - has been enveloped into the Regional On-Site Sewage System Loan program.

The program is provided by the Department of Ecology, Department of Health and nonprofit lender, Craft3. The program was launched in 2016 to offer affordable financing for homeowners to repair or replace septic systems. The Dept. of Ecology estimates 10% of septic systems fail annually.

"When those systems fail, sewage can back up into the home or the yard, posing health risks to families and sewage can find its way to our local waterways and ground water supplies," said Seth Elsen, environmental planner. "Our goal has always been to offer this statewide."

The program, which started in Puget Sound, reached its goal to be available statewide thanks to recent support from the state legislature. Since 2016, roughly $27,000,000 has been invested into the program.