VDH's Septic and Well Assistance Program
Established in 2021 through the first allocation of $11.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act; the Virginia Department of Health’s Septic and Well Assistance Program (SWAP) allows the Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS) to assist low-income homeowners with repairing or replacing failed, failing or in adequate septic systems and private drinking water supplies (wells, cisterns and springs). Currently VDH administers several different funding initiatives under SWAP, all of which are to assist homeowners with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG). Some programs may have the ability to provide funding to households with incomes above 200% of the FPG on a limited basis.
SWAP is funded from various sources. Limited funding may be available in certain areas of the state to address these issues. SWAP initiatives are summarized below.
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded Direct Homeowner Initiative: This initiative stopped accepting applications on 9/2/2022 and is currently closed. No new funding is anticipated.
- ARPA-Funded Local Partner Initiatives: See information below on this program. This funding is given to local organizations to operate local SWAP initiatives. Six projects were awarded to local organizations. Most have stopped taking applications. There is limited availability for homeowners to submit an application in 2025 for funding.
- Most Effective Basin (MEB) Initiative: This funding is geographically limited to certain areas within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Basin and the only properties eligible are those with septic issues needing a connection to public sewer or a repair in the form of a de-nitrifying Alternative Onsite Septic System (AOSS). There is limited availability in 2025. You may contact us to see if you qualify for this program. The funding is restricted to homeowners with incomes less than 200% FPG whose septic systems have been determined to be failing.
- Water Infrastructure Investment for the Nation -Small, Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities (WIIN-SUDC) Grant: This funding is for properties with inadequate drinking water supplies which qualify for a new private drinking water well or connection to public water. There is limited funding remaining. This funding is restricted to homeowners with an income less than 200% FPG or whose incomes are less than 80% of the Area Median Income if homes are located within certain designated disadvantaged areas of Virginia. Please contact VDH_SWAP_Grant@vdh.virginia.gov to learn if this program is a fit and if funds are still available.
NOTICE: SWAP is no longer directly accepting applications for funding. All interested homeowners in need of assistance should fill out a homeowner interest form so they can be screened to see if they qualify for any of the SWAP funding streams that still have funds available.
Please feel free to send any questions regarding this program to VDH_SWAP_Grant@vdh.virginia.gov.
More Information
If you have any questions, please contact us at VDH_SWAP_Grant@vdh.virginia.gov.
VDH uses the 2025 Federal Health and Human Serves Department 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to determine eligibility. Homeowners whose income is at or below 200% (2 times the FPG) are eligible.
| Persons In Household | 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| 1 | $31,300 |
| 2 | $42,300 |
| 3 | $53,300 |
| 4 | $64,300 |
| 5 | $75,300 |
| 6 | $86,300 |
| 7 | $97,300 |
| 8 | $108,300 |
| >8 | Add $11,000 for each additional person |
Eligibility is based upon income verification of the family unit or economic unit that legally owns the home and associated property for which wastewater/water improvements are needed. The SWAP uses the process outline in the VDH "Eligibility and Charging Structure Guidance Document" to verify income and determine eligibility.
In General SWAP covers the activities below, however not all funding initiatives covered under SWAP covers all these activities:
- 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.
For more information and resources related to onsite sewage sy stems and private wells, please look here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/onsite-sewage-water-services/
How old is your septic systems?
Most septic systems last about 30 years before having to be repaired or replaced.
Are you experiencing sewage backing up into the house/basement or erupting outside on the ground surface?
This could be a sign your system is failing.
Are you experiencing issues with your private drinking water supply that would be categorized as “Inadequate” per the “What exactly can be fixed” section of this page?
For the purposes of SWAP inadequate private drinking water supplies are considered any of the following that are described in "What exactly can be fixed" section of this page.
When is the last time you tested your private well for water quality?
Almost 1 in 3 private wells tested exceeds safe drinking water levels for bacteria and/or critical heavy metals, representing serious health hazards.
VDH has received funding designated for repair/replacement of failing onsite sewage systems and private wells for low-income homeowners. We want to make sure we can help as many families as possible.
Over half of the approximately 1.1 million onsite sewage systems in Virginia are reaching the end of their usable lifespan, and the majority of the over 700,000 private wells are not regularly tested for water quality. This project will significantly improve the health of many Virginians, which is the heart of our mission.
NOTICE: SWAP is currently not accepting direct applications for funding without pre-screening due to the lack of funding availability.
If you are an individual homeowner and are experience issues with your private septic or water system you can express your interest or need in financial assistance by filling out a Homeowner SWAP Interest Form.
*NEW* Homeowners - Septic and Well Assistance Interest Form - Effective 9/30/2025
NOTE: Please note, submission of an interest form is not an application for funding and does not guarantee future funding for your project.
As of September 3, 2022, VDH is no longer accepting applications for SWAP-ARPA but may have funding available from other programs. VDH is always looking for additional resources to continue this important program in the future. VDH will collect information from homeowners to document the need for septic and well assistance, and connect owner with funding sources as available. If funding is found homeowners may be required to fill out specific applications for those funds.
If you are an individual homeowner and are experiencing issues with your septic system, do not currently have a septic system (e.g. using a straight pipe) or are experiencing inadequate private drinking water issues, please share this information with VDH's Septic and Well Assistance Program by filling out the form and emailing it to vdh_SWAP_grant@vdh.virginia.gov or share the form with your local health department.
Homeowners can continue to fill out and submit to your local health department the Septic and Well Permit Application. Under VDH's Hardship Guidelines, local health departments can assist homeowners at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines with conventional septic and private well designs. If you would like VDH to provide design services you will have to fill out and submit a Petition for Services form below.
Septic and Well Permit Application
Petition for VDH Services Form
If you need help with the application process you can contact your local health department.
VDH Septic and Well Assistance Program relies on its local partners (planning district commissions, regional commissions, soil and water conservation districts, Non-for Profits, etc.) to administer a significant portion of our SWAP funding for all programs. If your community is interested in partnering with VDH on addressing well and septic issues or connection to public water and sewer issues, please reach out as we are always looking for new partners.
If you have any questions or interests please contact us at VDH_SWAP_Grant@vdh.virginia.gov subject “SWAP Local Partner”.
Local partner funding is being provided based on VDH Health Regions boundaries. You can find a list of localities within each Health Region, and a map of the Health Regions below.
If you have questions that are not addressed by this website, please send them to VDH_SWAP_grant@vdh.virginia.gov.
VDH SWAPs continues to have funds available for competitive bid to retain contractors and service providers to repair, replace and install onsite septic systems (conventional or alternative), install connections to public sewer, abandon unused private wells and water sources, repair or install private wells or connect homes to public water. The objective of this opportunity is to assist Commonwealth of Virginia homeowners in repairing or replacing private wells, onsite sewage systems, straight pipes or privies, properly abandon private wells, and connect to public water and sewer. Work will be determined as the need arises for individual projects based on a defined scope of services.
Active Quick Quotes: To access current bid opportunities, please refer to: https://mvendor.cgieva.com/Vendor/public/AllOpportunities.
- Either type in EVA QQ number, or
- Under 'Advanced Search' select a) Open, b) VA Department of Health under buying entity, c) Quick Quote under Opportunity Type, d) Non-Professional Services - Non-Technology under Category.
Materials for Contractors and Service Providers interested or participating in SWAP:
Information on eVA.