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• What is the rebate amount?

  The rebate amount is $100 for residential, commercial, and industrial participants pumping a septic tank of any size.

• Are rebates still available?

   

  The Septic Rebate Program page will remain active on the County’s website until pre-approvals are exhausted. Once this threshold has been reached, subsequent applications will be placed on a waitlist.  Should additional funding become available, pre-approvals will be issued to waitlisted applicants in the order that they were received.  Please submit your application as soon as possible to have the greatest chance of receiving a rebate.

   

• How do I apply?

   

  Step 1: Verify County Eligibility

  Verify that your septic system is located within unincorporated San Diego County.
  

  Enter your address in the map above under Program Eligibility.

  Step 2: Watch the Training Video

  Watch the County’s Septic Training Video.

  Step 3: Apply for Your Rebate

  Complete and submit your application online.

   

• I received a septic pumping rebate last year, can I participate in the Program again?

  Applicants are eligible to participate in the Septic Rebate Program for 1 septic system per parcel every 3 years after the date of the last septic system pumping, as documented in their septic pumping invoice. 

  For example, if your last pumping date was June 15, 2021, you are eligible to re-apply on June 15, 2024. 

• Who is eligible to receive a rebate?

   

  Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria to receive a rebate:

  • The septic system is located on a property in the unincorporated County of San Diego.
    • Verify your address in the embedded map above.
    • Only one septic system per parcel is eligible to apply for the program. 
    • If your property is in an incorporated city or on federal, state, or tribal lands, you are not eligible for the Program.

  • You have not participated and received a rebate from the Septic Rebate Program for the same septic system location within the last three (3) years.  

   

   

• Can I apply by mail?

   

  At this time, we are only accepting applications from our online form.  If you are unable to complete your application in this manner, please contact Watershed.Rebates@sdcounty.ca.gov for assistance.

   

• I recently applied but have not received a pre-approval email. What is the status of my application?

  Recently, the County has noticed a small number of applicants with Yahoo or Gmail accounts have not been receiving the County’s pre-approval emails.  Please check your email account’s junk or spam folder for an email from LUEG, Watershed Rebates <watershed.rebates@sdcounty.ca.gov> with the subject title County of San Diego – Septic Rebate Application #SRP-####. If you still cannot locate your pre-approval email, please contact watershed.rebates@sdcounty.ca.gov for assistance. 

• When will I receive my rebate?

   

  Upon receipt and processing, you will be notified via email within two weeks if your rebate application has been approved for payment, or if additional information is required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for your rebate to arrive in the mail. 

   

   

• Why is the County giving out these rebates?

   

  The County is committed to protecting local waterways from contamination. Faulty septic systems may pose a threat to local waterways and public health.  Through this rebate program, the County seeks to improve education regarding septic system maintenance and to encourage regular servicing, thereby reducing the risk of waterway contamination. 

   

   

• I had my tank pumped before I found out about the rebate program, can I receive a rebate for that service?

   

  No.  Past septic services are ineligible for rebates.  

   

   

• I am a renter. Am I eligible to receive a rebate, or is it limited to the property owner?

   

  Either the property owner or current resident of the subject property are eligible to receive a rebate.  Responsibility for having septic systems serviced is not determined by the County of San Diego.  Please check with the property owner to ensure you have their permission to have the septic system pumped prior to applying for a rebate. The Septic Rebate Application will have a certification statement that a renter received permission from the property owner. 

• The pumper I normally use is not on the “County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health Approved pumper list,” can I still use them and receive a rebate?

  No. Rebates will not be issued for septic services completed by companies not found on the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health & Quality Approved pumper list.

• More than 60 days have passed since I was pre-approved for a rebate and I did not submit my septic pumping invoice before the expiration date. Can I still submit my documentation for a rebate?

  This depends on the availability of funds.  After 60 days have passed, the rebate funds may be reallocated to the next applicant.  Reply to your pre-approval email, or contact Watershed.Rebates@sdcounty.ca.gov to inquire about additional rebate availability.

• What do septic tanks have to do with water quality?

  Improperly maintained septic systems may pose a threat to local waterways and public health. 

• I’ve noticed signs of a leaking septic system on my neighbor’s property, who can I notify to have it addressed?

  County of San Diego – Department of Environmental Health & Quality – Land and Water Quality Division

  • Website:https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/lwqd/lu_septic_systems.html

  • Phone: (858) 565-5173

  • E-mail: lwqduty.deh@sdcounty.ca.gov
• How often does a septic tank need to be pumped?

  This depends on the size of your tank and the waste load it receives (generally estimated by the number of people living in the home).  Please refer to the Septic Pumping Frequency Chart.

• I recently purchased a property with a septic tank already on it, how do I know if it needs to be pumped?

  If maintenance records cannot be obtained from the prior owner, it is best to have your system checked by a licensed contractor to determine if maintenance is due.   Click here for a list of County-approved septic pumpers.

• There is more than one septic tank on my property, can I receive a rebate for each of them?

  At this time, the rebate is limited to one septic system per parcel. 

• My business has a septic tank, is it eligible for a rebate?

  Yes.  Commercial properties are also eligible for this rebate program.  

• Is my Recreational Vehicle (RV)/trailer holding tank eligible for this program?

  At this time, the program is limited to the type of septic tanks permanently installed on a property within the unincorporated County of San Diego, servicing a stationary building.  A wastewater holding tank on a recreational vehicle or trailer would not be eligible.

  Please visit the County's RV User resources page for additional information on wastewater management.