| Cleaning Up the Down and Dirty |
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Septic Tanks Being Phased-Out? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that “adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas,” and central sewer is often not cost effective in rural areas and low-density developments. There are approximately 85,000 septic tanks throughout Duval County alone. So, why all the fuss about abandoning the septic tank system and switching to central sewer?Many Florida counties have begun converting septic tank systems to central sewer systems, including Duval county. Mayor Peyton is working on removing all failing septic tanks in the city, and connecting those homes to central sewer. Failing septic tanks are known to leach sewage into the soil, which can pollute ground and surface waters with many nutrients and coliform bacteria, and can inhibit private investment and economic development. The nutrients seeping into the waters can create a nutrient overload, leading to algal blooms. Algal blooms can create a foul odor in surface waterways, kill underwater sea grass beds, and cause health concerns for humans such as skin irritation and breathing difficulties. The coliform bacteria can spread disease, and have many negative health implications. Also, septic tanks require regular homeowner maintenance and inspection, and have a tendency to emit a foul odor or even back up into the home. Private investment is limited due to the loss of available useable yard space directly above the septic system, as any use of that area may damage the system below. Florida’s septic tank issues lay primarily in our water quality. Most septic tank systems in Florida only receive maintenance when they fail, and these failures damage ground, surface, and drinking water quality, as well as budgets for water clean-up and tank repair. Approximately 1.3 million onsite systems in Florida were installed prior to 1983, before repairs were regulated for these systems and with outdated installation requirements. For example, the current required separation between the bottom of a septic tank drainfield to the estimated seasonal high water table is 24 inches. Any less separation than 24 inches causes water contamination. Before 1983, septic tank systems were only required to be installed with a 6-inchseparation. Even with regular maintenance and updates, the septic systems do not last more than about 15 years before they must be replaced by the homeowner, which are often not replaced. About 31% of Jacksonville’s septic tanks are in areas that have been designated as septic tank failure areas by the Duval County Health Department. The City of Jacksonville, JEA, Water and Sewer Expansion Authority, St. John’s River Water Management District, and FDEP are all part of the River Accord, working on improving the St. John’s River water quality, including projects to remove septic tank systems. Since 1997, when The River Accord was created, nitrogen discharge to the River has been reduced from 900 tons per year to less than 800 tons per year, though there is much further to go. Though initial expenses of constructing and connecting central sewer lines are quite high in comparison to those of a septic tank, the long-term effects of septic tanks are a higher cost to us all: degraded water quality, numerous health issues, violation of state and federal water quality standards, loss of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and clean-up costs. Legal Intern, Veronica Saavedra |
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