As of 1/11/2011, SB 550 will require that all septic tank owners in Florida have their tanks pumped and inspected every five years. The inspection requirement will be phased in over the following 5 years.
The Florida Department of Health is drafting rules to enforce compliance. This must be done whether the tanks have shown any problems or not. Inspection and pumping will probably cost in the neighborhood of $400 to $500. This rule will cost the state's 2,600,000 septic-using homeowners a grand total of approximately $1.3 billion dollars every 5 years for inspections alone.
If your tank fails the state inspection, it must be repaired or replaced and brought up to the new inspection standards. To completely replace some drain fields, the cost will be in the range of $3,000-9,000 or more, plus the inspection fees.
If you fail to have your tank inspected, the fine is $500 per day plus you may also be charged with a misdemeanor. If your septic does not pass and you can't afford to repair it, and cannot qualify for a grant, you may not be allowed to live in your house. The law provides for termination of electric service for those owners who have a non-compliant, non-government certified septic system.
At this time, some state legislators have made statements that they'd like to see this law repealed.
Replies
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Beach Lover
passive aggression? Seriously?
municipal sewage is not an option for everyone on the planet. :lol:
In this day and time...I beg to disagree...out houses with their holes of waste are a thing of the past....this is 2010, my friend.
Beach Fanatic
I want off septic, what is my other choice?Go back to an outhouse. It seems to be what many here want. Instead of government intrusion, how about appealing to one's sense of "love thy neighbor". Also, a system of inspections set up on a specific time basis with heavy fines for those with uncorrected problems would be far superior to the "one size fits all" approach this law takes.
SWGB
Go back to an outhouse. It seems to be what many here want. Instead of government intrusion, how about appealing to one's sense of "love thy neighbor". Also, a system of inspections set up on a specific time basis with heavy fines for those with uncorrected problems would be far superior to the "one size fits all" approach this law takes.
Not without a constitutionally legal warrant buddy.
Beach Fanatic
I have a home that is within 100 feet of a force main. My neoghbor was able to connect but Regional did not run it far enough for me to connect to. I would prefer to connect at that house but it was not made available to me and is seriously out of my price range to run to it.
Skunky
passive aggression? Seriously?
municipal sewage is not an option for everyone on the planet. :lol:
Yes, seriously. Why would anyone hemm and haw and make excuses as to why they would fail to maintain their plumbing and allow their crap to leach into the community? You are right, municipal sewage is not an option for everyone on the planet...Bangladesh and Congo come to mind. But in this country, there is no excuse for not being responsible enough to maintain a septic tank if the municipal utilities are not available.
Banned
I believe if your home is within x miles from the beach you should be REQUIRED to hook up to sewer. I know Gulf Trace has had numerous problems with septic and that is just too close to the Gulf and lakes.
The Gulf is a drainfield for all kinds of marine life.
Banned
When we moved onto our lot, there was an existing septic and well on the property. We looked into connecting to the county water and sewage and we just didn't have the money to do that. So my husband got the sewer done and inspected and we've never had any problems with it. That was 2004. We don't live near any coastal dune lakes, but i do understand the concern in those areas. I feel like every 5 years is a bit much, especially if it passes inspection the first time. I also see a conflict having sewage companies do the inspections. That's the fox guarding the hen house. Not a good idea IMO.
Obviously there is a conflict when the people doing the inspections are private enterprises who stand to make money off failure. Any health department compelled to address this issue should have personnel in-house who are qualified to make these inspections. Makes no sense to have the private sector doing work for the public good.
AdminAuthor
Inspections delayed so lawmakers can attempt repeal of the law in the spring.
SoWal Insider
I can't believe there are areas of south walton county that don't have sewer access. We talk a lot here about all these wonder infrastructure things we want - soccer fields, health clubs, parks, yadd yadda. Maybe it's time we get our priorities straight and run some freaking sewer pipe instead?
SoWal Insider
BTW, the sewer inspection thing is going to be delayed until next summer so it can be reviewed by the new legislature.
SWGB
I can't believe there are areas of south walton county that don't have sewer access. We talk a lot here about all these wonder infrastructure things we want - soccer fields, health clubs, parks, yadd yadda. Maybe it's time we get our priorities straight and run some freaking sewer pipe instead?
As I understand it sewer is available to every home south of the bay. However the connection is the cost. Are you advocating the socialist idea that we pay for individuals not connected to sewer to do so?
Banned
Does anybody really think that all sewer systems are better than all septic systems? I seriously doubt it.
SWGB
Does anybody really think that all sewer systems are better than all septic systems? I seriously doubt it.
Since regional utilities doesn't pollute our coastal dune lakes after ever hurricane or heavy rain I would have to say yes. Since I've been here I've heard and witnessed only two incidents by regional utilities and both were handled immediately and effectively. The problem with septic tanks is two fold; an owner doesn't know there's a problem, and even if they do probably ignores it until becomes really obvious due to cost.
Beach Fanatic
As I understand it sewer is available to every home south of the bay. However the connection is the cost. Are you advocating the socialist idea that we pay for individuals not connected to sewer to do so?
Actually it was not made available to me and it was within 100 ft., my neighbor did have it offered to her though.
SoWal Insider
The current hook up fee is around $5000. Not too many people are clamoring for that kind of deal until something starts bubbling back up the toilet.
SoWal Insider
The current hook up fee is around $5000. Not too many people are clamoring for that kind of deal until something starts bubbling back up the toilet.
From what I've been reading outlier, low land homes and areas need extensive equipment to make it work. Things like "grinder pumps" (which do exactly what it sounds like they do :puke:) and holding tanks need to be installed. Which might explain why the costs are so high.
SWGB
From what I've been reading outlier, low land homes and areas need extensive equipment to make it work. Things like "grinder pumps" (which do exactly what it sounds like they do :puke:) and holding tanks need to be installed. Which might explain why the costs are so high.
The grinder pumps are common due to our topography, but Regional Utilities will finance those at a very low rate for up to 30 years and add it to the bill.
Banned
From what I've been reading outlier, low land homes and areas need extensive equipment to make it work. Things like "grinder pumps" (which do exactly what it sounds like they do :puke:) and holding tanks need to be installed. Which might explain why the costs are so high.
They call them lift stations. If you're too low for gravity to make your water flow to the sewer line, you'll need one. They are activated when water gets into their very small tank. In the event of a power failure you just have to hold it in or go out back, perhaps dig a latrine. I can't imagine anybody with a working septic system wanting to go this route.
SoWal Insider
They call them lift stations. If you're too low for gravity to make your water flow to the sewer line, you'll need one. They are activated when water gets into their very small tank. In the event of a power failure you just have to hold it in or go out back, perhaps dig a latrine. I can't imagine anybody with a working septic system wanting to go this route.
Plus, I've seen these things proliferate in places where logic would tell you that a normal gravity system ought to work. I think Regional Utilities might suggest these things when they are not always necessary.
Banned
Plus, I've seen these things proliferate in places where logic would tell you that a normal gravity system ought to work. I think Regional Utilities might suggest these things when they are not always necessary.
Right, on top of everything else, the whole affair can be kind of a racket.
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