Effective wastewater systems are vital to maintaining Lake George's water quality.
There are approximately 9,300 commercial, residential, and municipal properties in the Lake George basin. Every action on those properties — good or bad — directly impacts our Lake’s water quality. By committing to essential mitigation efforts on each property, we can improve Lake George’s water clarity and protect our drinking water for generations to come.
Failing or inadequate septic systems are negatively impacting Lake health, adding excess nutrient levels to the water. Property owners are encouraged to consider upgrading to new enhanced systems with higher nutrient-removal rates when current standards cannot be met. Equally important considerations are design and location of septic systems to help ensure protection of Lake George water quality.
Available Funds
In 2025, funding is available to property owners who must upgrade their septic system to comply with the Lake George Park Commission Wastewater Treatment Inspection Program regulations that went into effect April 1, 2023. Qualified applicants may be awarded up to 50% of the total project cost of upgrading their septic systems, with a maximum grant of $10,000. Grants are based on financial need and are distributed as a reimbursement once the project is completed.
These funds are intended to reduce nutrient and pollutant loading into Lake George by supporting the installation of stormwater mitigation projects on properties throughout the watershed.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (LC00A01141-0) to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
We also thank the Wright Family Foundation for their generous donation to help fund this program.
Applications are currently open- apply now!
Application Process
- Review the grant application requirements to ensure eligibility.
- Prepare any required documentation.
- Fill out and submit the online application.
- Grant funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis and are awarded on a fiscal-year basis.
The LGA will review applications on a rolling basis in the order they are received. Any application that is incomplete will be removed from its place in line until it is completed correctly, at which time it will be placed at the end of the queue.
Eligibility Requirements
- The grant applicant shall be an owner or authorized representative of the property.
- The property shall be used for residential purposes only.
- The property shall not be used for short-term rentals.
- The property’s septic system has been inspected by a representative of the Lake George Park Commission or a licensed engineer on or after 4/1/2023.
- The property is in the Lake George Park Commission Wastewater Inspection Program Area.
- The property’s septic system inspection received a “FAILING” or "SUBSTANDARD" grade from the Lake George Park Commission. A “NEEDS REPAIRS” determination is not sufficient for eligibility for this grant. If inspected by a licensed engineer and not the LGPC, the engineer must certify that the system will have received a "FAILING” or "SUBSTANDARD" classification from the LGPC.
- The applicant has ALL documentation prepared to upload.
- The applicant has ALL receipts marked as paid and ready to upload. Unpaid invoices or charges will not be considered. Additional invoices or documents added at a later date will not be accepted.
- The property owners identify as individuals “in need.” (This grant is intended to serve residents in need of financial assistance).
Project Expectations
- The project must be completed to the satisfaction of the Lake George Association at their sole discretion.
- Each system should require no variances wherever possible. Recognizing that variances may be unavoidable given small lots, siting limits, and proximity to Lake George, any variance(s) must provide for the minimum conditions required to install a new system.
- Enhanced treatment systems are preferred and will receive more favorable review in the grant scoring process. Enhanced treatment units are pre-manufactured structures that improve performance in treating wastewater (phosphorus and nitrogen levels, biological and physical treatment to reduce the amount of biochemical oxygen demand [BOD], and total suspended solids [TSS] of wastewater effluent prior to distribution to an absorption area).
- Water conservation measures shall be incorporated into the system design that exceed New York State Building Code requirements (Water Saving Plumbing Fixtures Law (ECL 15-0314)).
- Site disturbance shall be kept to a minimum, avoiding any extension of steep slopes, excessive fills, and vegetation removal. Any trees or vegetation removed shall be replaced.
- Replacement wastewater treatment systems shall be compliant with all applicable codes and regulations, i.e. Town Codes and NYSDOH Appendix 75-A.
- The LGA will not provide funds to cover larger septic systems for future home expansions or additions. If while updating your septic system, you choose to expand the system to accommodate a larger home/additional bedrooms/bathrooms in the future, the LGA will have the right to determine what expenses will and won't count towards applicant matching funds.
Documentation Requirements
During the application process, you will be asked to provide:
- Property information (section, block, lot and town)
- Owner(s) information
- Proof that the system “failed” or was "substandard" per the LGPC Wastewater Inspection Program by either:
- The notice letter from the Lake George Park Commission that states your system has received a “FAILED” or "SUBSTANDARD" grade
- A letter/report from a professional engineer that has evaluated your system certifying that your system would have received a "FAILED" or "SUBSTANDARD" grade from the Lake George Park Commission’s septic inspection program
- Any service agreements and contracts for enhanced systems, including a signed contract with your contractor.
- Project documents:
- Site plans/details certified by a licensed professional engineer
- Engineering plans
- Town approved permit with copies of approved variances (if necessary)
- Signed construction contract
- Engineering certification of completion (if applicable)
- Site photos (optional)
- Provide proof of up to $20,000 in receipts/paid invoices for construction expenses directly related to the installation of the new septic system. All invoices and receipts must explicitly show that they have been PAID. Invoices not marked as PAID, or other forms of documentation, will not count as proof of expenses. Please ask your contractors to provide you with this before applying.
- Proof of finances for EACH owner and entity via the most recent year’s tax return. You may upload other financial documentation to demonstrate financial need as well. (Note that each owner will be able to privately provide their financial information in such a way that the applicant or other owners will not have access to it.)
Listen to the Lake Protectors podcast!
Lindsey and Monika walk through eligibility, how to apply, and commonly asked questions about the Lake Impact Fund wastewater grant program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are applications open?
Grants are available on a fiscal year basis and will be open as long as funds are available. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
How do I apply?
Applications will be accepted through a secure grant portal via the link above. We do not accept paper applications.
Where do the grant funds come from?
Wastewater homeowner grants are funded by the Wright Family Foundation, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and donations to the Lake George Association.
Can I work on my application and save it for later?
Absolutely! Our grant platform allows you to start an application and save it along the way to finish at a time most convenient to you and your project schedule.
When can I apply?
As soon as you have paid $20,000 in construction expenses OR your project is completed. We will not accept partial applications or receipts after submission, so only submit when you can get your full reimbursement.
How are you defining “in-need”?
Finances are really tricky, so we have no defined number. We will be looking at financial information as a package to be able to assess who grants should go to. If you feel like you are “in-need,” then please apply. If you aren’t sure if you are in-need, ask yourself if replacing your system will cause your family will be put under undue financial stress. Grant funds are limited, so please be thoughtful to your community.
Why are systems deemed "needs repairs" not eligible for the grant?
This grant program aims to support those in financial need as well as the systems that are having the greatest negative impact on the lake, which is why we are targeting failed and substandard systems.
I replaced my septic in 2022- am I eligible?
No- this grant is intended to support the Lake George Park Commission’s wastewater inspection program that began on 4/1/23.
Will my financial information be secure? I don’t want anyone else in my family to see it.
Yes- the platform we are using for applications is secure. The application is set up in such a way that property owners will receive a separate email with a private form to fill out their financial information. Owners will not see each other’s finances.
I only have invoices from my contractor. Will those count?
Only invoices that show a payment has been made against them will count. General invoices will not be accepted as proof of payment.
I only have some of my receipts. Can I apply now and add more receipts later?
No. Lake Impact Fund applications are submitted once. Receipts, documentation, or information received post-submission will not be considered a part of the application. However, you can start your application and save your progress as you go, allowing you to add documentation as it is available. Just remember- don't hit submit until you are ready!
I don’t qualify for an LGA grant- do you know where else I can get money?
NYS has been routinely dispersing money to municipalities for septic upgrades. Those funds do not have financial requirements, but they go fast. Reach out to your municipality for more information.
Adirondack Trust and Glens Falls National both offer low or no interest loans.
Did you get my application?
If you received an email confirmation stating your application was received, then yes! If you aren’t sure about the status of your application, you can log into our grant platform and view "my applications” to see the status.
What is the turnaround time?
We cannot provide a timeline for when an application will go through review or be awarded grant funding. Thank you for your patience.
It’s been awhile. What’s the status on my application?
We respectfully ask that you do not contact us asking for status updates on your application. Inquiries like these take valuable time away from processing grant applications. The LGA has a small staff and we are working diligently to get through a large number of applications. If you haven’t heard back from us, then your application has yet to be reviewed and is in the queue.
I have received a grant from the FUND or LGA in the past. Am I still eligible for this grant?
As long as you meet the other eligibility requirements, you would be still eligible for this grant.
I am or have been an LGA employee. Am I eligible?
In our goal to provide unbiased grants to those most in need, we cannot provide grants to current or former LGA employees.
I have questions. Who can I contact?
We encourage you to read through all the documentation on this page. You can also start an application (and save it) if you want to look the application questions over in advance. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, please email [email protected] and we will return your message as soon as possible. Please note that we have a small staff and are working through a large number of applications and messages, so responses may be delayed.
