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SEPTIC FINANCING WHEN YOU NEED IT
Washington Clean Water Loans
Our clean water loans help hundreds of Washington homeowners annually.
A septic system failure can be a crisis. Our simple and accessible financing can be a lifeline. Craft3 Clean Water Loans work for a variety of households.
En Español
Financing to Fit
Borrow the entire cost of eligible design, permitting and installation. Lower interest rates for qualified lower-income borrowers.
Simple Terms
No up-front loan fees or pre-payment penalties. Perfect credit not required. Competitive interest rates.
Convenient Repayment
Make automated payments directly from your bank account.
CLean Water Loans
Experience and Dedication
This program is made possible thanks to the support of many public and private funders and organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of Washington.
We have helped nearly 2,000 Washington homeowners repair or replace their septic systems, stay in their homes, and keep local waters clean. We answer your questions, help you every step of the way, and troubleshoot any challenges. We look forward to working with you!
Eligibility
If your property is in Washington, you may be eligible to borrow up to the full cost of your septic repair or replacement. In addition, at least one of the following must apply:
- Your septic system is at least 25 years old
- Your system is failing
- You’ve been contacted by local health officials
- You are under orders to fix your system
Rates & Terms*
- Loan rates and terms are determined by applicants’ annual household income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Details
- No upfront costs required
- Covers all eligible design, permitting and installation costs
- In some cases you can finance connection to a nearby municipal sewer
- Competitive interest rates with lower rates for lower-income borrowers
- Grant funding may be available for eligible lower-income households
- Includes a $2,000 reserve to fund ongoing maintenance
Loan Amount
$10,000 and up**
Income and Occupancy
Owner Occupied
Below 80% AMI***
Below 80% AMI***
Owner Occupied
80-120% AMI***
80-120% AMI***
Owner Occupied
Above 120% AMI***
-or-
Rentals
Above 120% AMI***
-or-
Rentals
Interest Rate and Repayment
4.49%
Fully amortized
Fully amortized
6.49%
Fully amortized
Fully amortized
9.49%
Fully amortized
Fully amortized
Sample Loan
15-year term, $24,000 loan at 4.49% (5.089% APR****).
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $82.67 to $114.83, then 174 equal payments of $187.94 per month.
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $82.67 to $114.83, then 174 equal payments of $187.94 per month.
15-year term, $24,000 loan at 6.49% (7.126% APR****).
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $119.49 to $165.97, then 174 equal payments of $213.24 per month.
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $119.49 to $165.97, then 174 equal payments of $213.24 per month.
15-year term, $24,000 loan at 9.49% (10.187% APR****).
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $174.72 to $242.47, then 174 equal payments of $254.47 per month.
6 monthly interest-only payments on disbursements, varying from $174.72 to $242.47, then 174 equal payments of $254.47 per month.
Craft3 Loan Fee
$650
Recording Fee
$310 for loans secured by UCC-1A
Payment Schedule
Interest-only payments for 6 months; fully-amortized P&I payments for the remainder of the term.
Term
Unsecured: up to 7 years
Secured: up to 15 years
Secured: up to 15 years
Prepayment Option
No prepayment penalties
* Loan availability, terms, and conditions current as of 01.01.25 and are subject to change. Examples include financing of $650 Craft3 loan fee and $310 recording fee. All loan applications are subject to credit, property, and project approval. Maximum loan amounts apply and are subject to equity value and underwriting requirements for all programs. A UCC-1A filing is recorded with the county for all secured loans. Unsecured loans are subject to approval. Subordination may be available with lender approval, fees may apply. Loan must be repaid in full on sale, transfer, refinance, or maturity.
** Requires 20% contingency for potential change orders and a $2,000 Operations and Maintenance Reserve to fund health and maintenance of upgrade throughout the life of the loan (“O&M”). Maximum loan amount for unsecured loans is $25,000 plus O&M and 20% contingency.
***AMI means Area Median Income as defined by HUD: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html
**** APR, Annual Percentage Rate based on example loan criteria.
Financing Your Septic Project With Craft3
Craft3 supports homeowners every step of the way. Here's how it works.
1
Apply
Our online application is user-friendly and we’re standing by to help.
2
Cultural Resources Review
Projects must be assessed by the Washington State Department of Ecology for any potential adverse effects to cultural resources. This review takes approximately 30 days.
3
Plan
Work with your designer or engineer to design your septic system. Your designer will submit the design to the county for approval, the county will issue the permit, and your contractor will initiate and complete installation.
NOTE: Your contractor must be approved by your area’s health jurisdiction to conduct septic system replacement work. Contact your local health jurisdiction for a list of approved contractors.
4
Sign
Securely sign your electronic loan documents. By request, document signing is also available by mail.
5
Install
When your loan documents are signed, a deposit will be released to your contractor to initiate your project.
6
Repay
Repay your loan with automated payments from your bank account.
Additional Resources
Washington State Department of Health’s web resources on Septic Systems.
Washington State Department of Ecology’s webpage on Cultural Resource Review.
Download the Clean Water Loan brochure in English or Español for Washington homeowners or the Clean Water Loan FAQ that answers the questions most commonly asked.
Rural Development, US Department of Agriculture, Washington Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Washington
Customer Stories
Replacing a Failing Septic System on a Fixed Income
A 25-year US Air Force Veteran, Chris didn’t have $22,000 to fix his septic system. A Craft3 Clean Water Loan made it happen.
Pay It Forward
Our Lending Model
When you repay your loan, we use that money to make other loans. This allows us to serve more homeowners. Over time, this makes a big difference for communities, local economies and the environment.
Our Team
“Empowering and educating low-income borrowers is important to me. I know it can be harder for such borrowers to access financing and that misunderstandings and fears about debt are common.”
Freddy Rodriguez
Consumer Lender
