Septic Upgrade Incentive Program Contractors Information

Contractors for property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs. Please follow these comprehensive instructions for contractors. If you’d like to search for a property in the PFA, click here. Type the address into the search bar, and see if the address is within the red-striped area within the PFA.

Property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs should familiarize themselves with the program. Contractors will obtain consent from homeowners via the signed Homeowner’s Attestation, which should be downloaded, signed by the homeowner, scanned and sent to Grants Made Simple using the instructions for contractors.

When a property owner in the PFA selects a qualifying septic system upgrade using a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber, the CONTRACTOR can apply for the grant on behalf of the property owner to offset the cost of the installation of the qualifying system.

A list of the eligible features achieving enhanced treatment of nitrogen is available on the Department of Health (DOH) website https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/product-listings-and-approval-requirements

• Single- or two-family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site within the DeLeon Springs PFA only.
• Contractor will have property owner complete the HOMEOWNER'S ATTESTATION ➤ (download form).
• Current on all property taxes or proof of non-profit status in good standing (Active Status) on Sunbiz.
• The onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) must be existing and conventional.
• More than one installation per site is allowed.

The grant limit per septic system is up to $14,000 per Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATU) and up to $8,000 for In-Ground Nitrogen-Reducing Biofilter (INRB).

For-profit commercial properties and residential new constructions are not eligible.

• Work must be done within the DeLeon Springs Priority Focus Area (PFA). To search for a property in the PFA, click here, type the address into the search bar. Addresses within the red-striped area are within the PFA.
• The property must be a single- or two-family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site.

• All septic system upgrades authorized for this project will be performed by a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber.
• The contractor must be a registered vendor with Volusia County.
• Registered septic system contractors can be found here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for registered septic system contractors. State-licensed plumbers can be found here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for state-licensed plumbers. 
• All work must be permitted and approved by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County (DOH).

• Work must be pre-approved by the County and permitted by DOH before work commences.

• Funds are available only for installations of nitrogen-reducing on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) enhancements in an eligible single- or two‐family residence or mobile home, or non-profit owned and operated site with an existing conventional (non‐nitrogen‐reducing) system.
• The approved nitrogen-reducing systems are:
  • In-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs)
  • Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATUs)
  • Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTs)
• For-profit commercial properties and residential new construction are not eligible.
• More than one installation per site is allowed.

To apply online, please complete the following: CONRACTOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION (ONE TIME) ➤ and the HOMEOWNER APPLICATION (COMPLETED BY CONTRACTOR) ➤

Please download our step-by-step process for contractors. A link to a worksheet version can be downloaded HERE.

The contractors hired by the property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs are eligible for this program. To search for a property in the PFA, click here, type the address into the search bar, and if the address. Addresses within the red-striped area are within the PFA.

Property owners in the Priority Focus Area (PFA) of DeLeon Springs should familiarize themselves with the program.

When a property owner in the PFA selects a qualifying septic system upgrade using a registered septic system contractor or state-licensed plumber, the CONTRACTOR can apply for the grant on behalf of the property owner to offset the cost of the installation of the qualifying system.

A contractor must complete a CONRACTOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION (ONE TIME)➤
HOMEOWNER APPLICATION ➤

• Be a registered septic system contractor here and/or state-licensed plumber here. Please follow these instructions on how to search for registered septic system contractors. Please follow these instructions on how to search for state-licensed plumbers. 
• Be registered as a Volusia County vendor here
• Complete a contractor application and provide all required attachments, permits and documentation
• Secure a completed Property Owner Application Form for authorization by the property owner to participate in the grant program. See HOMEOWNER ATTESTATION ➤ (open and download form for fillable PDF).
• Not begin work prior to issuance of a PO. Work commenced before the PO is issued will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Yes. Work must be done within the Priority Focus Area in DeLeon Springs. To search for a property in the PFA, click here, type the address into the search bar, and if the address. Addresses within the red-striped area are within the PFA.

Visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website for additional information on the DeLeon Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP).

EXISTING system requirements in springs Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) are being phased in starting with DeLeon Springs (Volusia county) on lots less than one acre and within the Priority Focus Area (PFA) starting January 31, 2024.

Per DEP, certain springs Basin Management Action Plans have requirements for existing septic systems to upgrade to ENR-OSTDS. The requirements for DeLeon Springs apply only in the Priority Focus Area (PFA). This grant helps to cover the cost of the replacement of septic systems within DeLeon Springs PFA only. 

Per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection NEW Requirements for existing septic systems needing repair or replacement: Some springs Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) OSTDS remediation plans also have requirements for EXISTING septic systems. These springs BMAPs require that owners of existing septic systems in certain areas and lots do one of the following things when the system requires a repair or modification permit:

• Connect to sewer if it is available; or
• If sewer will be available in five years, repair or modify the existing conventional septic system; or

• Install a nitrogen-reducing system (ENR-OSTDS).

EXISTING system requirements in springs Basin Management Action Plans will be phased in starting with DeLeon Springs (Volusia County) on lots less than one acre and within the Priority Focus Area starting January 31, 2024. This grant only covers replacement septic systems within DeLeon Springs within the PFA. Lots over one acre are permitted under this grant.

Funds are available only for installations of nitrogen reducing OSTDS enhancements on an eligible property with an existing conventional (non‐nitrogen‐reducing) system.

The following are approved nitrogen-reducing systems:

• In-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters (INRBs)
• Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATUs)
• Nitrogen-reducing performance-based treatment systems (NRPBTs)

A list of the eligible features achieving enhanced treatment of nitrogen is available on the Department of Health (DOH) website, https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/product-listings-and-approval-requirements

Yes, more than one installation per site is allowed.

Download a copy of our step-by-step instructions for contractors and reference it frequently throughout the process. The contractor must submit the following:

• Apply to participate as a contractor in the grant program using the CONRACTOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION form (complete once)➤
• Then, for each homeowner, complete the online HOMEOWNER APPLICATION, submitting all indicated required materials.
• When you have submitted all required materials, our partner, Grants Made Simple, and the County will review and give permission to proceed.
• When the installation is finished, submit to Grants Made Simple via email (matt@grantsmadesimple.com):
• A copy of the final invoice to the property owner showing the address of the residence; identifying the equipment, materials and labor performed; and the homeowner’s share of the cost (reflecting the reduction of the incentive amount requested)
• A photograph representing the installation prior to the inspection
• A copy of the inspection report issued by the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County showing satisfactory completion of the work. If applicable, a copy of the inspection report for electrical installation.
• Any other documentation requested by the County to substantiate performance.
• Lastly, Grants Made Simple (GMS) will send you an award agreement to sign electronically when all final materials have been received and reviewed. GMS will also request a final attestation from the homeowner indicating all work was completed satisfactorily. Once all documentation has been approved, Contractor may invoice the County for payment by submitting their invoice to GMS via email: matt@grantsmadesimple.com.

The County will not process the payment until all documentation required above is received and approved. The contractor will receive payment within four to six weeks after approval of installation. Please email Denise Colflesh,  Volusia County Environmental Management, at dcolflesh@volusia.org with questions regarding approved payments.

Yes, non-profit owned and operated sites can apply for the septic upgrade incentive as long as their status on Sunbiz shows in good standing (Active Status). 

Yes, the maximum amount of the award is up to $14,000 per Nitrogen-reducing (NSF-245 certified) aerobic treatment units (ATU) and up to $8,000 for In-Ground Nitrogen-Reducing Biofilter (INRB). Each award is based on the total cost of the septic installation. For example, an installation which qualified under the grant but was a total cost of $8,500 for an INRB, the property owner would only be eligible for $8,0000 in incentives. The incentive cannot exceed the total cost of installation.

This program is limited in funding from the State of Florida and will conclude when funding is no longer available or by contract end date, whichever comes first.

No, rental properties may qualify as long as the property owner consents.

Rental property landlords may be asked to verify the following information:

• Verification proving the business operates as a rental business if the grant application or tax record reflects an LLC, a sole proprietorship or any other business structure as the owner or landlord.
• A lease agreement to demonstrate the home is currently being rented.