Allegan County program helps family restore safe water, sanitation access

When Eric walked into his yard one morning last year, he knew something was wrong. The toilets in his family’s Allegan Township home had stopped flushing, and he could smell sewage coming from the ground. 

“It worked one day and the next day just completely stopped working,” says Eric, who asked that his last name be withheld to protect his privacy. “We had to have it pumped once a week, where most people only have to do that every few years. It was bad.”

The family — a husband, wife, and seven children — live in a modest home built in the 1950s. The septic system was original to the house, and after decades of wear, it had finally failed. With nine people sharing one bathroom, the breakdown quickly became a crisis.

The cost of replacing a septic system can range from $8,000 to $20,000. The family didn’t have that kind of money on hand, and the situation grew urgent. Help came from Community Action of Allegan County (CAAC), a nonprofit that operates a well and septic assistance program for local residents. The initiative helps homeowners repair or replace failing systems that threaten their health or housing stability.

Eric says he first heard about the program from the septic repair company Arnsman Septic, which inspected the property and realized the extent of the damage.

“They told us to reach out to Community Action because they might be able to help,” he says. “So we contacted them, and it was the best call we could have made.”

Fast action

Once he reached out, everything began moving quickly. 

“They handled everything. What do I know about septics or who to contact?” he says. “They sent the county permit people out right away. When they saw how bad it was, Beth Emelander  from Community Action was on it, like, on it right away.”

Within days, the county had approved permits, contractors were scheduled, and the family’s replacement project was underway. However, inspections revealed that the family’s existing well was too close to where the new septic would go. County safety regulations required that the well be moved to prevent contamination. CAAC stepped in to help fund and coordinate that as well.

“Community Action helped with that also,” Eric says. “They took care of it, and all the people who do that stuff. They put me in contact with everyone. So all in all, from start to finish. The well and the septic took maybe 40 days.”

CAAC’s well and septic replacement program began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural Allegan County homes rely on private wells and septic systems that are expensive to maintain and replace. When those systems fail, homeowners face not only financial strain but also potential displacement because a leaking septic system or contaminated well can make a home uninhabitable.

Brenda Molendyk, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of CAAC, says the goal is to ensure safe, reliable drinking water and proper sanitation, both of which are critical to public health and housing stability. The program complements CAAC’s broader mission to reduce poverty and improve quality of life through housing stability, energy efficiency, and healthy homes initiatives.

“It’s ultimately about protecting health and safety,” Molendyk explains. “We’re focused not only on ensuring residents have access to safe, clean water, but also on safeguarding the integrity of the home itself. Failing systems and unsafe water present serious healthy housing concerns.”

Spreading the word

The program identifies households with failing wells or septic systems, verifies eligibility based on income and the condition of the septic system, and coordinates contractors. 

Since its launch, the initiative has helped 22 families, with more expected before the current funding period ends next September.

“Our goal is to ensure this opportunity reaches as many community members as possible,” Molendyk said. “The program is currently scheduled to remain available through the end of September next year, and we are committed to helping as many eligible individuals as possible benefit from it.”

Families who qualify often face the possibility of losing their homes or living with unsafe conditions that could make them sick.

“Who has $20,000 just sitting around?” Eric says. “For them to take that money and do that for us, right away when we needed it, it was really something. Man, grateful.”

Before the repairs, the family lived under constant stress. They worried about what would happen if the system backed up again, whether their drinking water was safe, and how long they could afford weekly pumping costs.

“It’s night and day now,” Eric says. “Before, we had to shut the water off all the time, make sure no one was running it too long. Now we don’t worry about that. Everything just works. Our water pressure is better, too. It’s great.”

The children took the disruption in stride. 

“They knew what it was for,” he says. “We explained why people were digging in the yard and that we’d be without water for a day or two. They knew the outcome was going to be worth it.”

The family’s story also highlights a common challenge in rural Allegan County. Many residents don’t know such help exists. Despite the severity of the problem, Molendyk says applications for the well and septic program have been lower than expected.

Eric was surprised to learn that many eligible families never apply. He hopes sharing his experience will encourage others to reach out.

“Don’t hesitate to apply,” he says. “It’s literally a lifesaver.”

Helping families, community

Molendyk views the program as both a housing and a public health effort.

“Behind every project is a family that can now drink safely from their tap, flush their toilet without fear, and remain in their home,” she says. “It’s the difference between being able to stay safely or possibly being relocated or even becoming homeless.”

By combining technical assistance with financial aid, the program addresses immediate needs and strengthens long-term community well-being. It demonstrates how local collaboration can prevent crises that might otherwise lead to environmental damage and housing instability.

“This program really speaks to building a healthier and stronger community,” Molendyk says.

Eric says nothing compares to the comfort of having a safe and functioning household.

“I’ve been all over the world,” he says, “but there’s no place like home.”

The family now enjoys simple everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, washing dishes, and taking showers, that require access to clean water. 

“It might not sound like much,” Eric says, “but when you’ve lived without it, you realize how much it matters.”

Learn more about the Community Action of Allegan County Well and Septic Program at www.communityactionallegan.org.