Not sure if you can afford to repair your well or septic system? Are you putting off testing or treating your well water because you don’t have the money? You could be putting yourself and your family at risk and causing more expensive repairs down the line. This page has several Wake County programs that may be able to help you, and also lists some federal and City of Raleigh programs for which you may qualify.
Wake County Assistance Programs for Well Repair, Well Water Treatment and Septic Repair
Well and Septic Pilot Assistance Fund
Thanks to a $200,000 federal grant, Wake County has launched a two-year pilot program to support lower income, elderly and disabled residents, who often cannot afford needed repairs to their well and septic systems. This program will help the residents with their well water testing, as well. This additional money supports the County’s grant programs below.
Wake County Emergency Grant Program
If you’re a homeowner with issues causing immediate or near danger, you may qualify for our Emergency Grant Program. Examples of emergency repairs can include fixing, wells, septic tanks, heating systems and roof hazards that, without repairs, may cause danger to you and your family.
To qualify your income should not exceed 50% of Wake County’s median income (currently $53,500 for a family of four – see more income levels).
Wake County Elderly & Disabled Program
If you’re elderly and/or disabled, this grant helps with modest home repairs that assist with mobility or medical needs. Some repairs covered include widening doorways, making bathrooms handicap accessible, installing ramps and other modifications necessary to help you remain in your home.
To qualify your income should not exceed 50% of Wake County’s median income (for example, currently $53,500 for a family of four – check your income level).
Wake County Assistance Programs for Water Quality Testing for Private Wells
Requirements for financial help for water quality testing
Wake County offers financial assistance at two levels, those households at or below the federal poverty level, and those with incomes up to 2.5 times the federal poverty level.
Households at or below the federal poverty level
Wake County can test private well water for the most common contaminants for $73.
| Persons in Family/Household | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,060 |
| 2 | $20,440 |
| 3 | $25,820 |
| 4 | $31,200 |
| 5 | $36,580 |
| 6 | $41,960 |
| 7 | $47,340 |
| 8 | $52,720 |
Households at 2.5 times the federal poverty level
Wake County can test private well water for the most common contaminants for $182.50.
| Persons in Family/Household | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $37,650 |
| 2 | $51,100 |
| 3 | $64,550 |
| 4 | $78,000 |
| 5 | $91,450 |
| 6 | $104,900 |
| 7 | $118,350 |
| 8 | $131,800 |
How to apply
Affidavit: To apply for financial help, you will need to print and complete a request for testing and an affidavit attesting to your eligibility for financial help.
Notarize: Your completed affidavit must be notarized by a registered Notary Public. Find a state-approved notary at this online database. Do NOT sign the document until you are in front of a notary. You'll need to bring a state-issued ID, such as driver's license, passport, Green Card or military ID. Wake County also provides FREE notarization services at the following locations (already listed on the locations page):
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Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
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Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
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Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
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Environmental Services Customer Support, located on the sixth floor of the Wake County Office Building, 336 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
Submit: Along with your paperwork, you will need to submit a check or money order for your full payment of either $73 or $182.50, depending on your income.
Mail your completed application, notarized affidavit and full payment to:
Wake County Environmental Services
Well Testing
P.O. Box 550
Raleigh NC 27602
You will receive a receipt confirming your payment in the mail within two weeks. When we are ready to test your well, we will call you at the phone number listed on your application.
Federal Programs for Well Repair, Well Water Treatment and Septic Repair
How can I find help paying for the recommended repairs or water treatment?
Wake County has identified the following resources that may be available to help with well water treatment, private well or septic repair. Wake County cannot guarantee any funding or help with processing applications, but we encourage you to contact the individual agencies for more information. Other sources of funding may be available.
USDA Rural Development Program
This program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Family income should be below 50 percent of the area median income.
Homeowners can contact the local office serving the county where their home is located at this website.
To determine your eligibility by your location, view the map here.
Contact: William Kenney
Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc.
Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project's Loan Fund offers affordable individual household well and septic loans for low-income homeowners to help them repair and/or replace their well or septic system. To find out more, please visit their website.
Contact: 540-345-1184
Sam Samardi (Loan Coordinator)
Angela Whitfield (Septic/Well Assistance/Intake Coordinator)
To determine your eligibility by your location, view the map here.
City of Raleigh Programs for Housing Repair
City of Raleigh Homeowner Repair Program
This program pays for major repairs to three or more faulty systems such as roof, heating and cooling systems, electrical, plumbing or structural problems. The property must be located in the city limits of Raleigh and must be the owner’s principal residence five years prior to application and upon completion of the repairs. Income must be 80% or below of area median income. To learn more about the project please check their website.
Contact: Lamont Taylor
City of Raleigh Limited Repair Program
This program funds repairs to at least one or two faulty systems such as roof, heating and cooling systems, electrical, plumbing or structural problems. The property must be located in the city limits of Raleigh and must be the owner’s principal residence upon completion of the repairs. Income must be 50% or below of area median income. Learn more at their website.
Contact: Lamont Taylor