SWAP Initiative

Application Period Extended!

Rockbridge Conservation is pleased to announce that the organization received a $300,000 grant in January through the Virginia Department of Health(VDH) that will benefit members of the community. VDH’s Septic and Well Assistance Program, or SWAP, is aimed to help low-income homeowners repair or replace well and septic systems. Funding for this grant program is part of the American Rescue Plan Act operating through the Office of Environmental Health Services. Rockbridge Conservation is eager to get started on this initiative and work with families living in Rockbridge County, the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, and the towns of Goshen and Glasgow.   

Rockbridge Conservation is committed to adhering to best management practices (BMPs) to repair or drill a new well, repair or install a new septic system, or connection to public utilities. The grant will pay for 100% of the qualified project costs. 

Partner organizations helping to identify qualifying households include Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA),Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services (DSS), local county, city, and town government, and water and sewer authorities. To be eligible, households must meet all SWAP eligibility criteria including having an income that is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), and own and live in the home. Fiscal and other criteria eligibility is determined by the local Health Department.  

Rockbridge Conservation is seeking eligible participants and is asking community members to help get the information out to qualifying households. We believe that this grant program will greatly improve the lives and health of our community members, and improve water quality in the Rockbridge community as a whole. Please send all inquiries to info@rockbridgeconservation.org.

To get started, download and send in our SWAP Application form

• Repairing or replacing failing septic systems.
• Replacing straight pipes and privies.
• Installing conventional system repairs, alternative system repairs, or sewer connection.
• Replacing inadequate private wells and drinking water supplies.
• Properly abandoning unused wells.
• Installing replacement wells or public water connections.

For the purposes of SWAP inadequate private drinking water supplies are considered any of the following;

1) Replacement of a dry well;

2) Replacement of a well that is document to have an exceedances of a maximum contaminant level or other health standards;

3) Replacement of bored wells;

4) Replacement of wells installed prior to any regulatory requirements related to the Private Well Regulations established in 1990;

5) Replacement of a well in poor condition that is potentially under surface water influence;

6) Replacement of a well that is required to be abandoned in order to permit a sewage system repair under SWAP; or

7) Replacement of a developed drinking water supply (e.g. spring or cistern) that is not a private well for an existing home.

8) Replacement of developed private drinking water supply when access to private drinking water is no longer available for an existing home.

Eligibility is also based upon the work needed based upon the following criteria:

1. Does the Applicant own the home, the land it rests upon and the water/waste systems to be improved (as documented in public property records).
2. Documentation of need, including documentation of failure of the septic system or inadequate private drinking water supply.

• Septic Failure: documented by a condition or malfunction assessment that documents how the system is failing (e.g. sewage on the ground or overflowing into the home).
• Inadequate private drinking water supplies will be based upon meeting one (or more) of 8 criteria listed in in the Private Drinking Water Supplies.

3. All work to be performed must be to pursuant to submission of a Local Partner version of the Septic and Well Permit Application and the resulting septic or well system permit issued by the local health department.

• Funding for permits for new construction is not allowed.
• Work considered “maintenance” not requiring a repair permit is not allowed.
• For Connection to Public Water or Sewer paperwork and documentation from the Water/Sewer Authority must be issued in lieu of a VDH Permit.
• SWAP funds cannot be used to extend the mainline sewer system.