Dean Fisher, of Brookfield, said his 2,000-gallon septic tank is about due for a pumping. Much like the rest of his neighbors, his two-story home at 6655 Amy Boyle Road is hooked to a septic system.

While larger households' tanks may need to get pumped more often, Fisher said that "to be safe" his septic system for a family of four needs to be pumped every two to three years. And if it isn't, the consequences stink -- literally.

"The tank fills up with solids and starts backing up in the house," Fisher said. "The toilets can overflow, the sinks won't drain. It can become a bad situation if you don't stay on top of it."

He said it costs an average of $120 for the service.

That's about right when factoring in the cost of dumping fees, according to Mark Furrie of Duke's Sanitary Service in Vienna. Duke's sanitary and industrial services include septic tanks, drains, sewers, leach beds and drain filters.

But help is on the way.

Trumbull County residents in the Pymatuning/Shenango Watershed area could get a break this year from the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District. It procured a $15,500 water resource and protection grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The Pymatuning/Shenango Watershed is considered to be a critical area tainted by various sources of pollution, including septic discharge.

The grant will initiate a cost-share program for septic system pumping for homeowners like Fisher in the Pymatuning Creek, Yankee Creek and Little Yankee Creek subwatersheds of Ohio, which include Brookfield, Hubbard, Kinsman, Hartford, Orangeville and Yankee Lake.

Homeowners who apply for the cost-share program may be reimbursed for 75 percent, or up to $100, of septic pumping costs. They must use a county-certified sanitary service and provide a receipt.

Amy Reeher, watershed coordinator, said there are about 8,300 septic systems in the target subwatershed area, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

Ms. Reeher said $500 of the grant is earmarked for landowner education. The money will provide qualified homeowners a packet on septic systems, maintenance, recordkeeping, septic system descriptions and a safety checklist.

Homeowners apply by May 31. The forms can be picked up at the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District or in select townships.