Water & Sanitary Sewer Financial Assistance Program
The Washoe County Community Services Department offers a financing program for residential property owners desiring to convert from private on-site domestic wells or septic systems to Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s municipal water system or Washoe County Utility’s sewer system. Eligible property owners who participate in the program will not have to endure the immediate financial burden that can result from a failed well or septic system. Property owners do not need equity in their homes to quality for the program.
Financial assistance is limited to residential properties for the exclusive purpose to pay actual and necessary costs and expenses to:
- Disconnect from a private water or sewer system,
- Eliminate, decommission, or properly abandon a private water or sewer system, and
- Connect to a community water or sewer system.
It is the policy of Washoe County to use a sound practical credit philosophy and standards in providing loans. Washoe County shall consider (a) credit worthiness and (b) ability to pay as a part of the loan review process.
Program Background
Recognizing the need to financially assist property owners desiring to convert from a private on-site domestic well to a community water system or from a septic system to a Washoe County sewer system, the Board of County Commissioners included in its 2009 Legislative Agenda a request for legislation enabling Washoe County to provide this needed assistance. Assembly Bill 54 of the 75th Legislative Session was written to provide this authority to Washoe County; it was signed into law on May 29, 2009. The legislation does not force private well and septic system owners to convert over to a community water or sewer system.
The Utility Water and Sanitary Sewer Financial Assistance Program was established by Washoe County Ordinance No. 1449 on July 27, 2010, and amended by Washoe County Ordinance No. 1545 on November 7, 2014.