West Blackfoot, Idaho

Location
West Blackfoot, Idaho

Problem
Rural residents face health risks, financial impacts due to septic system failures.

Solution
Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s Loan Fund provides low-interest loans to replace failing septic system through Idaho’s SRF Household Septic System Loan and Grant Program.

Blackfoot Idaho is in Bingham County, with parks, camping and other recreational activities available for families and visitors. It is near Craters of the Moon, Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. The community of about 37,000 population hosts the annual Eastern Idaho State Fair.

A family in rural west Blackfoot, Idaho faced extreme financial stress due to a failing septic system. Rural septic owners often also use private wells for their water. If a septic system doesn’t work properly, it risks contaminating drinking water with disease causing pathogens.

The family’s system clogged regularly, incurring costs of around $300-$400 per month to have the system pumped. This put a strain on the family’s income, which totaled $33,507 annually and is well below the IDSRF income eligibility of $63,377.

The cost to replace the system was $15,250.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation approved a loan for the project, at 1% interest for 20 years, which enabled the family to complete the septic system replacement and will provide much-needed relief for a safe and sanitary septic system.