Tama County Homeowners Receive Federal Grants for State-of-the-Art Septic Systems
TAMA COUNTY. Iowa — Replacing or installing a septic system can be a daunting task for residents in rural areas or communities without their own sewer systems. However, in recent years, Tama County Sanitarian Chris Behrens has gone above and beyond to secure federal grant funding for such projects, often resulting in no cost to homeowners.
Behrens initiated this remarkable endeavor after learning about a program aligned with President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda, which allocated $7 million to the state of Iowa. Recognizing the opportunity, officials decided to utilize these funds to provide grants to small communities lacking sewers, enabling them to enhance and replace septic systems in compliance with current regulations. In Tama County, the fortunate recipients of this program were Vining, Buckingham, and Dinsdale.
“These are very small communities, so we took it upon ourselves to spread the word,” Behrens explained. “I personally visited the elevator in Buckingham, distributed flyers, and engaged with the residents in Vining by knocking on doors. The same approach was used in Dinsdale, encouraging as many of them as possible to apply for the grant. The application itself was just one page.”
One challenge that emerged during the application process was the requirement for applicants to provide two cost estimates for their projects. This proved somewhat problematic, as contractors were hesitant to provide estimates without a clear installation timeline.
Nonetheless, Behrens’ efforts bore fruit, resulting in 13 applications submitted across the three communities. Two of these applications have already been accepted and implemented successfully. One such project took place in Buckingham, while another, valued at $15,000, was completed in Vining, with minimal financial burden on the homeowner.
The proactive approach taken by Tama County demonstrates the positive impact of federal grants in improving local infrastructure and enhancing the lives of rural residents. With continued efforts, more homeowners in these communities stand to benefit from modernized and compliant septic systems.
