County To Expand Assistance For Sewer, Septic Upgrades (2/29/24)
Bourne Enterprise
February 29, 2024
The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners voted Wednesday, February 28, to expand the county’s AquiFund Program, which provides low-interest loans to Cape Cod homeowners for septic system upgrades and sewer connections. The action enables the county to move forward in applying for $13 million in new funding from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust.
For the past 18 years, the state’s Clean Water Trust has provided funding to Barnstable County to administer a community septic loan program. Since its inception in 2006, the county’s Aquifund program has assisted 4,814 homeowners by providing $62.4 million in low-interest loans for septic system upgrades. In 2021, the program began offering loans to Cape homeowners based upon income and expanded the program to include sewer hookups and alternative septic systems.
“The AquiFund program is crucial for tackling our wastewater issues and the severe environmental challenges we face on the Cape,” Commissioner Mark Forest remarked. “A big thank-you as well to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for their unwavering support. They have been with us every step of the way, providing invaluable assistance.”
In other business, the commissioners awarded $750,000 in grants to eight local organizations: Cape Abilities Farm, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, Chatham Harvesters Cooperative, Midnight Our Seafood, Canaan SDA Church, Health Ministry USA, Farming Falmouth and Tony Andrews Farm.
Funding for this initiative was awarded to the County Cooperative Extension from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. The Land and Sea Grant supports Cape Cod’s unique food system by partnering with local farming and fishing communities. Food and fish produced will be distributed to the Barnstable Public Schools, the Falmouth Service Center and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Other key distribution partners include organizations serving veterans, the homeless, seniors, and people with disabilities.
County To Expand Assistance For Sewer, Septic Upgrades – Bourne Enterprise