STEP 1: SUBMIT A PERC APPLICATION
You must fill out a Perc Application and schedule a site visit with the Area Sanitarian. A perc test may or may not be necessary. The property owner is responsible for the Perc Application fee of $450.
STEP 2: SUBMIT A COMPLETED BRF APPLICATION AND A COPY OF YOUR MOST RECENT FEDERAL INCOME TAX RECORD
Although homeowners may submit the BRF application prior to their perc application being approved, they will not be instructed to proceed to Step 3 until the final design requirements for a septic system have been approved. With their BRF application, homeowners must submit a copy of the first page of their most recent federal income tax form 1040. Social Security numbers should be redacted.
Homeowners with gross incomes up to $300,000 per year qualify for up to 100 percent funding. If the best available technology (BAT) unit installation cost exceeds the maximum allowable grant, the property owner is responsible for the cost difference. Homeowners with incomes greater than $300,000 and properties owned by large business entities are eligible for up to 50 percent funding. Business entities that meet the definition of “Small Business” in COMAR 21.01.02.01 may qualify for 75 percent funding. For BAT units that are being installed on previously vacant lots, the maximum grant will be reduced by $1,200, which represents the cost of a conventional septic tank.
STEP 3: SELECT A BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY UNIT (BAT) FROM ONE OF THE EIGHT FIELD-TESTED UNITS LISTED BELOW:
| Model | Vendor | Percent Nitrogen Removal | Maximum Allowable Grant1 |
| Advantex AX20-RT2 | Orenco Systems, Inc. Bob Johnson: 877-814-8426 | 76 | $22,982 |
| Advantex AX20 | Orenco Systems, Inc. Bob Johnson: 877-814-8426 | 71 | $20,106 |
| AquaKlear | BayStar Precast Corp. Dave Care: 410-977-3453 | 54 | $15,212 |
| Bio-Microbics RetroFAST3 | Dwayne C. Jones Contracting: 410-692-6900 | 57 | $14,868 |
| Fuji Clean CEN series | Dwayne C. Jones Contracting: 410-692-6900 | 77 | $15,510 CEN5 (up to 4 bedrooms) $17,632 CEN7 (up to 5 bedrooms) |
| Hoot BNR | Hoot Aerobic Systems, Inc. Nancy Mayer: 410-796-1434 | 64 | $18,995 |
| Hydro-Action | Sample Excavating Co. Mike Sample: 443-807-8639 Outback Porta Jon | 66 | $16,587 (northern part of county) $16,662 (southern part of county) |
| Norweco Singulair TNT | Superior Tank Inc. RJ Earnshaw: 301-274-3772 | 55 | $14,340 |
| Septitech M400 | Dwayne C. Jones Contracting: 410-692-6900 | 67 | $17,492 |
- The maximum allowable grant shown is the maximum grant provided by Anne Arundel County. The vendors will invoice the Maryland Department of the Environment for an additional $75 to $325 after completing the first annual inspection of the unit.
- The Advantex AX20-RT unit may only be used on sites where a pump is needed to get the wastewater to the drain field; otherwise, the simpler AX20 unit should be used.
- The RetroFAST is limited to homes with no more than three bedrooms and four occupants.
Select a field-tested unit and enter into a contract with a disposal system contractor for the purchase, installation and two-year warranty of the unit. A copy of the signed contract must be submitted to the Department of Health, Bay Restoration Fund Program. The contract is a three-way contract that the homeowner, the installation contractor, and the vendor of the unit will all sign. Usually the vendor is the last party to sign and they email the contract to the Bay Restoration Fund Program. The contracts for commercial entities and for homeowners with gross incomes over $300,000 will show less than 100 percent funding of the BAT unit. The property owner is responsible for the installation permit fee of $625 and any other septic system work beyond the nitrogen-reducing unit. After the initial two-year warranty expires, the homeowner is responsible for maintaining a service contract with a manufacturer-certified service provider.
STEP 4: SIGN AND RETURN THE BAY RESTORATION FUND GRANT AGREEMENT
A Bay Restoration Fund Grant Agreement will be mailed to you once the Department of Health reviews the signed fixed-cost contract. The agreement is a legal document that is recorded in Anne Arundel County Land Records. The agreement must be signed in front of Department of Health staff or a notary public and must be returned within 30 days of receipt of the fixed-cost contract.
STEP 5: WAIT FOR GRANT APPROVAL
Bay Restoration grant funds are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual grants are awarded based on an applicant meeting the program’s eligibility requirements and the availability of BRF funds. A waiting list will be created if the number of eligible projects exceeds the availability of funds.
Based on the availability of funds, the Department of Health will send you and your contractor an official approval letter or email. The BAT unit must be installed within 45 days of the grant approval. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Department of Health and are subject to the availability of BRF funds.
STEP 6: SCHEDULE INSTALLATION OF THE BAT UNIT
Schedule the installation of the BAT unit with the selected contractor. Your contractor is responsible for applying for a County permit to install the BAT unit and notifying the Department of Health 48 hours prior to BAT installation. The grant does not cover the cost of the County permit fee, which is the responsibility of the property owner. The Department of Health and a manufacturer representative will inspect the BAT unit to ensure it complies with manufacturer and County requirements.
STEP 7: VENDOR OR CONTRACTOR PAYMENT
The approved vendor must submit an invoice to the Department of Health for payment. Payment will be made to the approved vendor based on the grant award.
For more information, contact:
Bay Restoration Fund Grant Program
Bureau of Environmental Health
Anne Arundel County Department of Health
3 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-222-7324