Ohio Home Sewage Treatment Systems (HSTS) Principal Forgiveness Program

Grant-like principal forgiveness funding, awarded through local health districts, that helps income-qualified Ohio homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems.

The Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, working through local health districts, provides financial assistance to individual property owners for repair or replacement of failing household sewage treatment systems. Local Health Districts receive principal forgiveness loans, which function as grants that do not require repayment, then set local priorities and identify income-eligible residents. Homeowners below 100 percent of the HHS poverty guideline can receive 100 percent principal forgiveness, those between 100 and 200 percent receive 85 percent, and those between 200 and 300 percent receive 50 percent. As of July 31, 2025 the program had awarded $112 million and disbursed $78.6 million. It covers homeowners only, not commercial structures.