Septic Tank Letters

Two letters that are very interesting, thank you Andrea.... Dave

26 March 2009

Greetings:

In today’s Central Florida Daily Newspaper Mike Thomas has a “column” on the bottom of the front page with his opinion on the issue of potentially new onsite systems that may be required by the Florida Department of Health for the Wekiva Study Area.

In Mr. Thomas column he states, “So a $5,000 system could cost about $8,000.” Below is the Charlotte County Florida Department of Health Environmental Administrator’s stating, “These systems can cost from $15,000 to $30,000 Dollars.”

The studies have shown that onsite systems have a nitrate input of 6% to the Wekiva River & it’s Contributing Springs while Commercial & Residential Synthetic Fertilizer are 75% of the nitrate input to the Wekiva River & it’s Contributing Springs. This was reported to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners by the Onsite Systems Bureau Chief for the State of Florida on 24 March 2009. It has been stated that if the same methodology was used for onsite systems that was used for other sources onsite systems would have a ZERO percent nitrate input.

Clearly the source that is the overwhelming cause of pollutant is synthetic fertilizer. Orange County will be addressing this issue with a fertilizer ordinance in the very near future.

Sincerely,

John Byrd, Aide,
Orange County Commissioner Frederick C. Brummer

Dear Ms. Erb,

Here in Charlotte County we have over 42,000 septic systems installed. This has been a nightmare, since some of the same concerns that pertain to Wekiva are present here. In 1993 due to pressure from the Department of Community Affairs, the County passed an ordinance requiring Aerobic Treatment Units for most plotted lots in the County.

That became the biggest nightmare, and an unjust burden on the homeowners. These systems can cost from $15,000 to $ 30,000 Dollars. Along with the higher price comes the mandatory permits and maintenance contracts that can cost up to $ 800.00 per year, not including repairs that are performed. If the systems are not maintained according to the manufacturers specifications, failures are very frequent.


Sincerely,


Herman Velasco
Environmental Health Administrator
Charlotte County Florida Department of Health
Phone: 941-743-1501
Fax: 941-743-1533