New York Septic System Replacement Fund — Schoharie County
Schoharie County participates in the New York State Septic System Replacement Fund.
The county takes the applications. A property still has to meet the priority-waterbody rules.
What the NYS Septic System Replacement Fund Covers
The New York State Septic System Replacement Fund helps participating counties pay part of the cost of qualifying cesspool and septic projects that affect designated priority waterbodies. Schoharie County is a participating county and administers the applications.
The 2025 program summary states two maximums. A standard eligible septic project may be reimbursed for up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of $10,000. An eligible enhanced septic system project may be reimbursed for up to 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of $25,000. Those are maximums, not guaranteed awards.
Catskill Watershed Corporation assistance is a different program, with different towns and different rules.
Currently Identified Schoharie County Priority Waterbodies
The current EFC priority-waterbody list for Schoharie County includes:
- Flat Creek and tributaries
- Fox Creek, Lower, and tributaries
- Summit Lake
- Cobleskill Reservoirs
- Cobleskill Creek Tributary
- West Creek, Upper, and tributaries
- Tributaries to Richmondville Water Supply
- Little Schoharie Creek, Upper, and tributaries
- Tributaries to Utsayantha Lake
A waterbody on this list does not make every property in a nearby town eligible. Schoharie County publishes an eligible-watershed map with the application.
How an Award Is Made
Participating counties evaluate applications and decide the awards. Schoharie County’s local program contact, listed on the EFC page, is Shane Nickle, 518-295-8770, nickle.shane@co.schoharie.ny.us.
- The county evaluates the application and determines the award.
- The county sends a grant award letter.
- The homeowner accepts the award terms.
- After that acceptance, the homeowner may hire design professionals and contractors.
- The program reimburses eligible costs. Reimbursement may be paid directly to a contractor when the owner authorizes it.
That sequence is specific to this fund. The Catskill Watershed Corporation uses a different process.
- Schoharie County septic program application (PDF)
- Schoharie County eligible-watershed map (PDF)
- Related information: repair vs. replacement or septic system replacement.
Official program resource
View the Official NYS Septic Replacement Fund →Official program resource
Open the 2025 Program Summary (PDF) →Official Resources
Confirm current waterbody lists, amounts, and application steps on the official EFC page before relying on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the New York State Septic System Replacement Fund?
It is a state program, administered through participating counties and associated with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), that can help qualifying property owners with certain cesspool and septic system projects that affect designated priority waterbodies. Confirm current details on the official EFC program page.
Does a listed waterbody mean my whole town qualifies?
No. A waterbody on the priority list does not mean every property in a nearby town qualifies. Property location relative to an eligible waterbody and other current program criteria matter.
How do homeowners apply?
Schoharie County participates. The county evaluates the application, determines the award, and sends a grant award letter. After the homeowner accepts the award terms, design professionals and contractors may be hired. The official application and the county contact are on this page.
Is this the same as Catskill Watershed Corporation funding?
No. CWC and the NYS Septic System Replacement Fund are different programs, with different administrators and different rules. A property may need to check one, both, or neither.
Investigating NYS Septic Replacement Funding?
Check the official EFC requirements and Schoharie County application before beginning a project that may depend on grant funding.