The Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD) has obtained a State of Minnesota Clean Water Fund (CWF) grant (C15-2471) to develop a voluntary septic system inspection pilot program for all properties located within the Kelle’s Creek watershed in Afton, Minnesota. Kelle’s Creek does not meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) water quality standards. It is classified by the MPCA as impaired, due to high levels of E. coli bacteria—typically associated with human and animal waste. According to a water quality study of Kelle’s Creek, one of the primary sources of the E. coli bacteria is noncompliant (failing) septic systems.

With the CWF grant funds, the VBWD is able to offer FREE septic system inspections (normally $400–500) to all property owners within the Kelle’s Creek watershed to help identify systems that may be polluting Kelle’s Creek and shallow groundwater in the area. This voluntary program will be available in 2016 and 2017, while grant funds last. Proactive inspection and subsequent improvements to noncompliant systems will have a direct positive effect on the water quality of Kelle’s Creek and reduce threats to public health.

Based on the TMDL study completed for the Kelle’s Creek watershed, there are approximately 160 septic systems within the watershed and based on inspection information from Washington County, as many as 50-60 of these systems could be noncompliant and not adequately treating wastewater. Some of the septic systems (approximately 12 current systems) in the lower portion of the Kelle’s watershed (within Afton village) will be connected to the Afton community septic system. However, there are still many septic systems in the upper portion of the Kelle’s Creek watershed that should be inspected.

Do you live in the watershed and are qualified to participate in the septic system program?

Kelle’s Creek Watershed Map

Kelle’s Creek Watershed Property List

If you are interested in participating, an application must be submitted to the VBWD to start the process. A state-licensed septic system inspector will then make an appointment with you to perform the system inspection. Again, there will be no charge to you for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kelle’s Creek Septic System Inspection Application Form

If your septic system is classified as compliant, you will receive a copy of the inspection report to serve as a certificate of compliance (good for 3 years) and no further action will be required. However, if the inspection shows that your system does not comply with state and local ordinances, the report will be further reviewed by Washington County, on behalf of the City of Afton, and a system upgrade or replacement may be required.

My system was classified as noncompliant and the County is requiring me to upgrade or replace my system. Now what?

To help offset the financial burden of upgrading or replacing a noncompliant septic system that the County orders to be addressed, there are two sources of financial assistance available to property owners in the Kelle’s Creek watershed:

VBWD Kelle’s Creek Septic System Cost-Share Program

VBWD Cost-Share Application Form

VBWD Cost-Share Payment Request Form

Washington County Septic System Grant and Loan Program

Although we do not expect all property owners within the watershed to participate in this voluntary inspection program, the goal is to begin identifying some of the noncompliant systems within the watershed and connect the owners of the systems that are ordered to be upgraded or replaced with existing financial assistance programs and to begin addressing the primary source of bacteria to Kelle’s Creek. To date, 14 septic system inspections have been completed and two of those property owners have participated in the VBWD Kelle’s Creek septic system cost-share program to help offset the cost of their system replacements/upgrades.