Septic Tanks

Feel free to use this letter. E-mail Andy Gardiner today, please. Copy the document and paste it into your own e-mail using your own name.

Many thanks! Andrea

Attached is an email I sent to District 9 Sen. Andy Gardiner, asking him to amend the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act to eliminate the need to change Wekiva area septic tanks to the proposed wastewater treatment systems about which I have sent information to you. If you like, you may use any part(s) or all of it to email the 3 addresses listed below.

Everyone needs to email Sen. Gardiner with the same request regarding an amendment. (The Act itself will not be struck down, but the wording regarding these treatment systems can be changed.) Even if you have already emailed Gov. Crist, please do so again. And you should also email the Florida Dept. of Health.

It now appears that we have only until April 1 to stop this ridiculous rule from being enforced.

gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

charlie.crist@eog.myflorida.com

environmentalhealthonsitesewageprogram@doh.st.fl.us

The Seminole County Commission will address this issue in downtown Sanford on Tuesday morning, at 9:30 a.m. Lake County citizens are holding meetings to determine how to fight it. In Tallahassee last night, the Leon County Commission voted to table their resolution supporting the new systems, because so many angry homeowners showed up at the meeting, along with representatives from the Home Builders Assoc., which opposes the change.

Derry Sampey, Member
Deer Lake Run HOA BOD

Dear Senator Gardiner:

If the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act becomes law in its current form, those of us living in the affected areas will be forced to install an electrically operated septic system based on totally unproven technology. It is our understanding that installation cost is estimated to be $10,000 to $20,000 per home, annual maintenance is projected at $1,200 to $2,500 per year, and additional operating costs will add approximately $50 per month to our electric bills.
If we try to sell, refinance or make any improvement to our homes (including adding a utility shed in the back yard), we will be forced to install the new system, even if our current one is fully operational. And the chances of ever finding buyers for our homes who are willing to pay for and live with this system will likely be zero, resulting in the devaluation of our homes and a sharp drop in the tax base of the cities and counties in which our homes are located.
When our power goes out or a brownout occurs, both of which occur frequently in Florida, we will have no bathroom facilities and raw sewage will back up into our homes. Even after power is restored, these systems will have to be individually restarted by the installer, which could take weeks to complete. Talk about a serious health problem!

Finally, the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act itself lays 71% of the blame for the Wekiva area's problems squarely upon the use of nitrogen fertilizers, and 6% of the blame on septic tanks currently in the area. So, why are some homeowners (and not golf courses, resorts, tourist attractions, et al) going to be forced to pay the price for a so-called solution that will, at best, merely scratch the surface of the problem?

It is imperative that the Department of Health be prevented from allowing this travesty to continue. Please know that large numbers of your constituents want to see this Act amended and are ready to do whatever it takes to support you in your efforts.

Thank you.