BAY RESTORATION FUND
SEPTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE PROGRAM
The Bay Restoration Fund was created to dramatically reduce the amount of nitrogen that enters our surface waters. Some of those sources, such as discharge from wastewater treatment plants, can easily be traced to their original source and treated. Other sources such as those from individual onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDS), commonly known as septic systems, cannot be easily traced and may seem insignificant on a small scale. But in the big picture, OSDS collectively discharge the same amount of nitrogen as a large wastewater treatment plant to water in the ground. This water eventually either leads to a nearby stream or travels deeper into the ground to a source that may be used for drinking.
A conventional OSDS was never designed to remove nitrogen and the average residential OSDS discharges approximately 40 pounds of nitrogen per year. For residences in the Critical Area (land within 1000’ of a tidal body of water) up to 80% of this nitrogen can reach surface waters but even away from the Critical Area some nitrogen will eventually reach the groundwater and surface waters.
The amount of nitrogen discharged from an OSDS can be reduced by approximately 50% by installation of a Maryland Department of the Environment approved best available technology (BAT) for nitrogen reduction. The Bay Restoration Fund Septic System Upgrade Program, administered at the state level by Maryland Department of the Environment and locally by the Cecil County Health Department, will pay 100% of the cost to purchase the BAT unit, have the unit installed including electrical connection, and pay for the first 5 years of an operation and maintenance contract. If an existing drainfield is functioning properly it will not have to be replaced, however, if the existing system is failing it will have to be replaced at the time the BAT unit is installed. The Bay Restoration Fund will normally pay only for the BAT unit and not for drainfield replacement, although low income households may be eligible for financial assistance.
An application for the Bay Restoration Fund Septic System Upgrade Program can be obtained by contacting the Environmental Health Services Division of the Cecil County Health Department at 410-996-5160 or can be downloaded at Following submittal of the application an inspection of the existing septic system will be made and the applicant will be notified of how to proceed, which will include obtaining bids and executing an Agreement and Easement which must be recorded in the Land Records of Cecil County.
For questions please contact Environmental Health Services at 410-996-5160. Information on the Bay Restoration Fund is also available from Maryland Department of the Environment at
1/2009