Hernando County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program Applications Open March 11

Hernando County is opening applications at noon today for its Septic Upgrade Incentive Program, offering grants to homeowners willing to retrofit their existing septic systems with nitrogen-reducing enhancements aimed at protecting Weeki Wachee Springs.

The program, entering its second phase under a grant agreement the Board of County Commissioners adopted November 18, 2025, operates under the authority of the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act of 2016 and the resulting Basin Management Action Plans that target nutrient loading in Weeki Wachee Springs. The board approved the agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through Resolution RES-2025-194, county records show.

Not every Hernando County homeowner qualifies. Eligible properties must fall within the BMAP designation area, a geographically specific priority focus area identified by DEP. The county website's eligibility map is the starting point for any homeowner considering an application.

Per the county board resolution's brief overview, "Hernando County will continue the Septic Upgrade Incentive Program (SUIP) to help lower the amount of nutrients in the Weeki Wachee Springs. The program will encourage homeowners to voluntarily remediate existing conventional Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) to include nitrogen reducing enhancements."

The state's septic upgrade program framework allows subsidies of up to $10,000 per system in designated priority focus areas statewide. The per-system cap for Hernando County's Phase 2 allocation has not been independently confirmed from the grant agreement text, though ACE Septic & Waste, a contractor participating in the program, has stated the Hernando County program grants up to $7,500 for qualifying households.

Under DEP rules, subsidies are paid directly to licensed septic system installers or plumbers retained by the homeowner, not to the homeowner directly. All work must receive DEP pre-approval before it begins, and participating contractors must register as state vendors and complete a Florida Substitute W-9. ACE Septic & Waste has noted that contractor openings operate on a first-come, first-served basis once applications are approved.

It is worth noting that the county's public-facing SUIP webpage currently carries a notice stating the program "is Now Closed" and that "all grant funding has been expended." That message appears to reflect a prior funding round, given the board's November 2025 authorization of a Phase 2 grant agreement. Homeowners should contact the county directly to confirm current program status and obtain the official application.

Hernando County's main government line is (352) 754-4000. The Florida DEP's Water and Springs Restoration Program can be reached at 1-866-601-6910 or by email at SepticProgram@FloridaDEP.gov, with additional program information at FloridaDEP.gov/SepticUpgrade.

Separately, the county's Septic to Sewer SHIP program, a distinct initiative administered through the Hernando County Utility Department, is also accepting applications through March 31, 2026. That program focuses on full septic-to-sewer conversions rather than in-place upgrades. Questions about the SHIP program can be directed to (352) 540-4338.