2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 120 - Special Environmental Revolving Fund › § 4763b. Loans to individuals for failed wastewater systems and failed potable water supplies

§ 4763b. Loans to individuals for failed wastewater systems and failed potable water supplies
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when the wastewater system or potable water supply serving only single-family and multifamily residences either meets the definition of a failed supply or system in 10 V.S.A. § 1972 or is demonstrated by a designer to have a high probability of failing, the Secretary of Natural Resources may lend monies to an owner of one or more of the residences from the Vermont Wastewater and Potable Water Revolving Loan Fund established in section 4753 of this title. In such cases, the following conditions shall apply:
(1) a loan may only be made to an owner with a household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the State average median household income;
(2) a loan may only be made to an owner who resides in one of the residences served by the failed supply or system on a year-round basis;
(3) [Repealed.]
(4) when the failed supply or system also serves residences owned by persons other than the loan applicant, a loan may only be made for an equitable share of the cost to repair or replace the failed supply or system that is determined through agreement of all of the owners of residences served by the failed system or supply;
(5) no construction loan shall be made to an individual under this subsection, nor shall any part of any revolving loan made under this subsection be expended, until all of the following take place:
(A) the Secretary of Natural Resources determines that if a wastewater system and potable water supply permit is necessary for the design and construction of the project to be financed by the loan, the permit has been issued to the owner of the failed system or supply; and
(B) the individual applying for the loan certifies to the Secretary of Natural Resources that the proposed project has secured all State and federal permits, licenses, and approvals necessary to construct and operate the project to be financed by the loan;
(6) all funds from the repayment of loans made under this section shall be deposited into the Vermont Wastewater and Potable Water Revolving Loan Fund.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when the wastewater system serving only single-family and multifamily residences either meets the definition of a failed system in 10 V.S.A. § 1972 or is demonstrated by a designer to have a high probability of failing, the Secretary of Natural Resources may lend monies to an owner of one or more of the residences from the Vermont Wastewater and Potable Water Revolving Loan Fund and capitalized by money that has been transferred from the Vermont Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Control Revolving Fund pursuant to subdivision 4753(a)(10) of this title, provided that no State funds are used. In such cases, all of the following conditions shall apply:
(1) A loan may only be made to an owner with a household income equal to or less than 200 percent of the State average median household income.
(2) A loan may only be made to an owner who resides in one of the residences served by the failed system on a year-round basis.
(3) A loan may only be made to an owner who demonstrates sufficient means to pay the principal and interest on the loan.
(4) A loan may only be made for a project that is a clean water project the Secretary has designated as a priority for receipt of financial assistance.
(5) When the failed system also serves residences owned by persons other than the loan applicant, a loan may only be made for an equitable share of the cost to repair or replace the failed system that is determined through agreement of all of the owners of residences served by the failed system.
(6) No construction loan shall be made to an individual under this subsection, nor shall any part of any revolving loan made under this subsection be expended, until all of the following take place:
(A) the Secretary of Natural Resources determines that if a wastewater system and potable water supply permit is necessary for the design and construction of the project to be financed by the loan, the permit has been issued to the owner of the failed system; and
(B) the individual applying for the loan certifies to the Secretary of Natural Resources that the proposed project has secured all State and federal permits, licenses, and approvals necessary to construct and operate the project to be financed by the loan.
(7) Loans shall be awarded at or below market interest rates.
(8) All funds from the repayment of loans made under this subsection shall be deposited into the Vermont Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Control Revolving Fund.
(c) Loans awarded under this section:
(1) shall include a loan repayment schedule that commences not later than one year after completion of the funded project for which loan funds have been issued; and
(2) shall not be used for the operation and maintenance expenses, or laboratory fees for monitoring, of a wastewater system or potable water supply.
(d) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall establish standards, policies, and procedures as necessary for the implementation of this section. The Secretary may establish criteria to extend the payment period of a loan or to waive all or a portion of the loan amount. (Added 2011, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; amended 2013, No. 51, § 42, eff. May 29, 2013; 2017, No. 168 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. May 22, 2018; 2017, No. 197 (Adj. Sess.), § 21; 2023, No. 79, § 6, eff. July 1, 2023.)