Community Septic Management Program
The Community Septic Management Program funds municipal and homeowner septic system repairs in Massachusetts to protect public health and the environment.
Funder: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round; subject to municipal participation)
Funding Amounts: Low-cost loans to municipalities; local betterment loans to homeowners—loan terms, amounts, and interest rates set by each participating municipality.
Summary: Provides low-interest loans to Massachusetts municipalities for septic system inspection, management, and repair, with funds passed on as betterment loans to eligible homeowners in participating communities.
Key Information: Homeowners must apply through their local Board of Health; program availability and terms vary by municipality.
Description
The Community Septic Management Program (CSMP) is a statewide initiative administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. It provides low-cost loans to Massachusetts municipalities, enabling them to establish and operate local septic inspection and management plans. Municipalities that participate in the program can offer low-interest betterment loans to homeowners with failed septic systems, supporting repairs, upgrades, or connections to public sewers. The overarching goal is to protect environmentally sensitive areas from contamination, ensure public health, and maintain compliance with Title 5 of the State Environmental Code.
