What does WaDE stand for?

WaDE stands for Wastewater Discharge Elimination. Some people also refer to it as the "straight pipe program" although the program also operates to identify failing septic systems, unpermitted privies and other on-site wastewater issues that are in violation of the North Carolina sewage rules (15A NCAC 18A.1900).

What is the history of the WaDE program?

The 1990 U.S. Census showed that North Carolina had more than 49,000 households without septic or sewer systems. The combined efforts of then-Gov. Jim Hunt, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, members of the 1995-1996 Year of the Mountains coalition, as well as other key individuals succeeded in getting N.C. General Assembly to adopt House Bill 53 of 1995-1996. (This is now on record at the end of GS 143-211, Article 21 as an Editor's Note referring to Session Law 1996, Second Extra Session, Chapter 18 Section 27.26.)

The WaDE Program became active in 1997. Its mission: to focus on watersheds in western North Carolina. The program worked for the first several years by assisting other county-sponsored septic system surveys. With experience gained and policies established through a series of stakeholder meetings in 2001, the WaDE Program received project grants totaling $1.2 million from 2002 to 2006 and $1.5 million from 2006 to 2009 from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund. From 2003 to 2006, the program received grants totaling $494,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency's 319 Non-point Source Program, which is administered by the state Division of Water Quality.

From January 2003 to October 2008, the WaDE Program completed 8,070 home septic system surveys in 24 different watershed surveys and indentified 1,794 violations. During that time, 944 violations have been corrected, including 154 systems repaired with financial assistance through the WaDE Program. The total cost for those corrections was $473,301, an average cost of $ 3,073 for each repaired septic system. All septic repairs were completed in collaboration with local health departments.

What is the mission of WaDE as set forth by state legislation?

The legislation directed effort towards three areas of concern:

1. The identification and elimination of domestic sewage discharges (both direct [straight pipes] and from overland flow of failing septic systems) into streams proposed to be used or currently used for public water supplies.
2. An amnesty period to end Dec. 31, 1997, during which violations of state rules and laws regarding domestic sewage and wastewater discharges identified as a result of this program may be reported and addressed without incurring legal consequences.
3. A public education effort regarding the program and the amnesty.

Will the amnesty program, which ended Dec. 31, 1997, be reinstated?

No. The WaDE program now follows a self-reporting policy drafted by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which is similar to an amnesty program. Home and business owners with on-site septic systems who report themselves or cooperate during WaDE surveys will get more than the usual 30 days to correct their violations as long as they continue to work with the local health department to get a permit and install a properly repaired septic system.

What type of funding is available for repairing or replacing septic systems?

Grants, forgivable deferred loans and low-interest loans to pay installers to repair septic system violations for qualified homeowners are available in different areas of the state at different times. Deferred loans require no monthly payments and do not have to be paid back if the property assisted is not sold for five years after the repairs are completed. Agencies that offer financial assistance to repair septic systems receive funding in blocks for a certain amount of time. Once the funds have been exhausted, the agency must wait for the next block of funding to become available before offering additional assistance.

The WaDE Program provides grants and forgivable deferred loans, with funds provided by the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, to repair septic system violations found during WaDE septic surveys. These funds are limited to certain areas in western North Carolina where the WaDE Program is operating. The grants support septic repairs for low-income households (up to 80 percent of medium income) and the forgivable deferred loans support septic repairs for medium-income households (up to 115 percent of medium income). See our funding page (link) or call WaDE toll free at 1-866-223-5718 for more information.

Grants and low-interest loans for individuals are also available across the state through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 504 Grant and Loan Program. This link contains contact information for area offices in North Carolina.

The N.C. Department of Commerce, through the state Division of Community Assistance, provides limited funds for repair of water and wastewater systems through a Scattered Sites program. The assistance is channeled to county programs and then makes its way to individual households with septic repair needs. Scattered Site Housing grants are made to approximately 33 county governments on a rotating basis (every three years) to address the most critical housing needs of low-income families throughout the county. including participating municipalities. In 2008, eligible recipients include 33 counties and their interested non-entitlement municipalities:  Alexander, Ashe, Bertie, Bladen, Camden, Caswell, Clay, Columbus, Currituck, Dare, Durham, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Lee, Madison, Montgomery, Northampton, Onslow, Pender, Person, Polk, Rowan, Scotland, Surry, Transylvania, Warren, Wayne and Yancey. For additional information, contact Iris Payne, Community Development specialist, at (919) 733-2853 ext. 249.

Is my washing machine drain pipe that empties to a shallow ditch at the edge of my yard considered an illegal wastewater discharge?

Yes. According to 15A NCAC 18A .1900 [.1937 (a)]: "any person owning or controlling a residence, place of business, or place of public assembly containing water-using fixtures connected to a water supply source shall discharge all wastewater directly to an approved wastewater system for that specific use." You are allowed to have a separate wastewater treatment and disposal system in your yard for the sink drain and/or washing machine drain, but it must be approved and permitted by an authorized environmental health specialist from your local health department or health district.

Can I fix my straight pipes or failing septic system myself?

You may do the installation yourself as long as you first apply through the local health department for a septic repair permit, obtain a site evaluation by an authorized environmental health specialist and receive an 'Authorization to Construct' permit. You should be able to demonstrate your ability to understand the technical concepts of the system and have the physical capabilities and proper equipment to carry out the designed system installation. Friends, relatives or anyone else must be registered as septic system installers in the county where your septic system is located to complete a septic system repair for you. Most people choose to hire a registered installer by getting at least three bids for the project and selecting the lowest or best bid offer. Regardless of whether you install the system yourself or hire someone else to do it for you, the installed system must receive a final inspection by an authorized environmental health specialist (usually the one who issued the repair permit) before the system can be covered and put into use.

Are failing septic systems and straight pipes considered to be a problem in North Carolina ?

Yes. The 1990 census data shows that nearly 50,000 households in North Carolina did not have public sewer or individual septic systems. Door-to-door surveys conducted by the WaDE program have revealed 22 percent of homes surveyed had a septic system violation of one or more of the following; straight pipes and no septic system, septic system with straight pipes, failing septic system, unpermitted pit privy (out house), septic system too close to a well or broken plumbing. In each case, wastewater violations stand the risk of endangering public health or adversely impacting the environment.

What is the problem with wastewater going into our streams?

Wastewater containing human feces may contain disease causing bacteria and viruses harmful to other humans. Large scale epidemics of typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery used to kill thousands of people in populated centers until the link was made between wastewater and diseases; in particular, contaminated water for drinking or waters where raw fish and shellfish were consumed.

Wastewater generated in homes contains nutrients that nourish algae in our streams, rivers and lakes. The algae grow so well and so fast that they use up almost all the oxygen in the water and produce high levels of toxins, which then cause fish and other aquatic animals to die.

How can I get more information about straight pipes, failing septic systems and the WaDE Program's initiatives?

You may call the WaDE office toll free at 1-866 223-5718 for more information.