The MPCA has $2 million available for grants to counties to assist low-income landowners with septic systems failing to protect groundwater or posing an imminent threat to public health or safety. This funding is different than previous SSTS low-income grants and does have different application requirements.
This grant is intended to target low-income landowners, with failing septic systems, who reside in:
- Environmental justice areas
- Watersheds with identified E. Coli, fecal coliform, or nutrient surface water impairments
- SSTS Areas or Communities of Concern
Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on March 7, 2023.
Questions and answers
MPCA employees cannot legally answer questions about this grant opportunity. Please submit questions about this grant to grants.pca@state.mn.us with the subject line “FFY23 Replacing Failing Septic Systems” no later than 4 p.m. on February 27, 2023. Contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA personnel may result in disqualification.
Informational session
The MPCA held a webinar providing an overview and answering questions about this grant opportunity (Jan. 18, 2023). A PowerPoint presentation and Q&A are available as part of the “Bid Package” associated with this grant that is accessible via the online SWIFT portal.
Eligibility
Minnesota counties operating SSTS programs are eligible to apply. This may include organizations that have been delegated countywide SSTS authority, such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
Available funds
Total funding available: $2 million
How to apply
The request for proposal (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an “Event” within the SWIFT system.
- Go to the online SWIFT portal.
- Click on "Bidding opportunities".
- Find the event name "MPCA-Replacing Failing Septic Systems" or event number (2000013743).
- Click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms. (There’s no need to log in to see the documents.)
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal. Applicants interested in applying will need to register as a bidder in the system by clicking on the SWIFT Supplier Portal, then "Register for an Account and Register as a Bidder".
Applicants that are already registered in the SWIFT system as a supplier (previously known as a vendor) can use their supplier ID and do not need to register as a bidder. The Supplier Portal now requires Multi-factor Authentication to sign in, and registered suppliers may have to change passwords. We also suggest clearing your browser cache.
Visit the SWIFT Supplier Portal under “Informational Tips” and “Supplier Portal Help” for more information. For questions about applying through SWIFT, please contact the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1.
More information
Currently, there are 620,000 SSTS in Minnesota, of which an estimated 107,000 systems are failing; 26,000 of those failures belong to low-income landowners.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).