# Environment (GEN)

## Title 9. Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities

### Subtitle 14. Innovative and Alternative Septic System Grant Program

#### Section 9-1401

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) "Innovative and alternative septic system" means any new, experimental, or nonconventional technology that is added to or used in place of a conventional septic or other on-site sewerage system.

  (2) "Innovative and alternative septic system" includes but is not limited to:

    (i) A sand mound septic system;

    (ii) A septic tank-sewerage evapotranspiration system that is powered by solar energy;

    (iii) A septic tank-filter cloth trench system; and

    (iv) Any other innovative on-site sewerage disposal technology that is developed in the future.

(c) "Program" means the Innovative and Alternative Septic System Grant Program.

#### Section 9-1402

There is an Innovative and Alternative Septic System Grant Program in the Department.

#### Section 9-1403

(a) The purpose of the Program is to make State grants to political subdivisions of this State who, in turn, will make grants to owners of improved properties with failed systems and owners of previously recorded land that has failed a soil percolation test to install and experiment with innovative and alternative septic systems on the land in order to develop additional types of on-site systems that can be utilized.

(b) The Office of Environmental Programs in the Department shall manage and supervise the Program.

#### Section 9-1404

(a) The Department may make grants to political subdivisions of this State under the Program from funds provided in the State budget.

(b) Each political subdivision of this State shall make grants from the money received from the Department to eligible persons who apply under this subtitle.

(c) The State grants awarded by each political subdivision may not exceed 87.5 percent of the anticipated cost of the innovative and alternative septic system, except that grants for systems allowing the development of unimproved properties may not exceed 50 percent.

#### Section 9-1405

(a) The Secretary:

  (1) Shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this experimental Program under this subtitle;

  (2) Shall request demographic, land use, fiscal impact, or other pertinent information from the Department of Planning or any community planning agency; and

  (3) Shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor that describes the activities of the Program and makes recommendations to improve the Program.

(b) The political subdivisions of this State shall administer the Program according to the rules and regulations adopted by the Department.

#### Section 9-1406

(a) To be eligible for State funds from a political subdivision under the Program, an applicant shall:

  (1) Own property in this State that:

    (i) Has an existing failed septic system; or

    (ii) Is unimproved, was platted before 1972, and has failed percolation testing requirements;

  (2) Have made a good faith effort to obtain approval of or to utilize a conventional septic system;

  (3) Agree to conditions of experiment as outlined by the Office of Environmental Programs; and

  (4) Only apply for 1 grant to serve 1 home site to upgrade an existing system or to improve 1 unimproved site with a new home and innovative and alternative septic system.

(b) This section does not apply to the development of an unimproved parcel of land that is proposed to be subdivided into building lots.

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Md. Code Ann., Envir. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)