New Jersey-based Wastewater Eco-Charities, formed last October, has announced a plan to help low-income homeowners – including senior citizens, veterans and the disabled – repair or upgrade malfunctioning septic systems. In a release issued last week, the group’s executive director, Joseph Garner, said the effort is based on environmental damage being caused by neglected septic systems.

A three- to five-year plan by the charity starts with providing basic septic repairs and system remediation, and progresses to replace failed systems. Garner said that a six-county region in New Jersey alone includes more than 53,000 households that could qualify for these free services. He said a private group needed to step forward to address the consequences of failing systems.

“We simply cannot wait to clean up environmental contamination when it can be prevented at the source. These services must be performed and we can’t wait or afford to have the state or the federal government create a program to deal with the problem,’’ Garner said. “We can and must make a difference. We will work tirelessly to ensure the funding is available and the services are performed by competent and experienced septic maintenance professionals, thereby preventing an environmental concern.”

The non-profit Wastewater Eco-Charities is looking for help in donations, sponsorships, volunteers. For more information, visit www.wastewatereco.bbnow.org or call toll free (888) SJPUMP1.

I occasionally hear stories about pumpers who, either on their own or through state contractor associations, reach out and help a customer who cannot pay for a needed system repair or replacement. If you or your state association has coordinated such an effort, I’d like to know about it. Send me a note at editor@pumper.com and I’ll share your “good news’’ story in this blog.