The purpose of this program is to identify additional types of on-site sewage disposal systems that can be used in Maryland. The Department is authorized to make grants available to political subdivisions for the purpose of constructing innovative and alternative on-site sewage disposal systems. The subdivisions shall use the State grants to provide grants to owners of improved properties with failed conventional systems and owners of previously recorded land that has failed a soil percolation test. Grants shall be used only for installing experimental systems using Department approved innovative and alternative system design criteria. This chapter establishes eligibility criteria for participation by local political subdivisions and property owners in the program.