Clean Water SRF Series: Septic System Success in Northwest Arkansas

Hosts: Eva Schwendimann & Shā Lager, Water Utility Trainer and Support Specialists, Southwest Environmental Finance Center 

Guest: Morgan Keeling, Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership 

Episode Description: 

In recognition of EPA’s SepticSmart Week, we give you the first Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) podcast of a multi-episode series highlighting how innovative funding can help communities address failing septic systems and protect local water quality. 

We had the opportunity to speak with Morgan Keeling, the Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) in Northwest Arkansas. She spoke specifically about a wonderful program that she formerly managed, but still oversees at the IRWP, called the Septic Tank Remediation Program (STRP), where CWSRF funds are used through a combination of zero-interest loans and non-repayable grant funds to repair or replace residential failing septic systems. Morgan shares with us how the STRP was designed, lessons learned in the process, and community impact. The STRP starts in residents of Northwest Arkansas’ backyards, but the benefits of this program resonate throughout the Illinois River Watershed.  

Timestamps: 

• Illinois River Watershed Partnership and Septic Tank Remediation Program Intro: 01:34 

• Mission of CWSRF Podcast Series: 06:00 

• Why the STRP is a priority for the community and watershed: 08:19  

• Obstacles in application or construction processes of the CWSRF: 15:09 

• Timeline from application to project completion: 22:39 

• Ways compliance has improved under the STRP: 25:19 

• Unexpected positive outcomes from the project: 26:17 

• Major takeaways from STRP to consider in other projects: 29:07 

Learn More About EPA’s SepticSmart Program Here: 

• EPA 2026 SepticSmart Week  

• EPA’s SepticSmart Program  

Additional Resources: 

• EFCN Animation | Septic Tanks: DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES  

• EFCN Blog | Public Problem, Private Property: How Outreach and Incentives Drive Smarter Septic System Management