Residents living in the Mill Creek watershed of Montgomery County, as well as in the Dodd Creek watershed of Floyd County, may qualify for cost share funds from the Skyline Soil & Water Conservation District to assist with septic pump-outs, repairs, replacements, installations, and sewer connections. Applications for residential cost share programs are being accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible candidates qualify for a 50 percent cost share (up to $125) for septic pump outs, which are recommended every 3-5 years in order to maintain proper functioning of a septic system.

For those who are in need of repairs, or who are candidates for sewer connection, the cost share ranges from 50-75 percent, based on income, with a maximum cap of $3,000. For replacements and installations, the cost share range is also 50-75 percent with a cap of $6,000. In the event that an alternative waste system is needed, the range is 50-75 percent with a cap of $15,000.

Part of the Mill and Dodd Creek TMDL Implementation, this plan was developed after water testing on Mill and Dodd Creeks showed that the two streams did not meet State and Federal minimum standards for fecal coliform bacteria, a bacterium commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. In the Implementation Plan it was stated that, for these two streams, some of the fecal contamination is contributed by human sources, through failing septic systems and straight pipes. In order to bring these two streams back into good health, it is believed that 100 percent of failing systems and straight pipes in these watersheds must be identified and corrected.