How often does this happen?

Topsail State Park is free admission.

Miramar Beach Access Health Advisory Lifted, Blue Mountain Beach Access Health Advisory Still In Effect Wednesday.

BEACH HEALTH ADVISORY UPDATE JULY 1, 2016
New Health Advisory Update from the Florida Department of Health.

• The Health Advisory for the Blue Mountain Beach Access has been lifted. The water quality in this area has improved considerably due to the reduction in bacteria levels.

• Water quality classifications are based upon United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended criteria and Florida Healthy Beaches Program Categories:

Good = 0 - 35 Enterococci CFU per 100 ml of marine

• Blue Mountain Beach Access levels are now reported as:

4 CFU per 100 ml of marine water.

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) has not issued “no swim advisories” for any the beaches in Walton County. DOH-Walton has issued health advisories at specific beaches due to elevated sample levels of a bacteria called enterococci. Enterococci is not flesh eating bacteria. It is bacteria that normally inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals. It may cause human disease, infections, or rashes, but for the vast majority of people, the risk of serious illness is minimal.
An otherwise healthy person may have no problems with contact with the water of a beach that is under advisory. Some may experience a minor inflammation of a cut, a mild sore throat or mild diarrhea after exposure to water from a beach under a health advisory. The greatest risk is for very young children, the elderly and people who have compromised immune systems since their ability to fight off infection is limited by age or disease. It is important to understand that a “health advisory” is not the same as a “no swim advisory.”

The national media is calling Vibrio vulnificus a “flesh eating bacteria.” That is incorrect. Vibrio vulnificus is naturally occurring along U.S. coastlines and infections from this bacteria (are) rare. We have not had a confirmed case of a Vibrio vulnificus infection in Walton County this year.
If you should have any questions, please contact DOH-Walton at (850) 892-8021 or visit the Florida Department of Health’s Beach Water Quality website
Healthy Environments | Florida Department of Health

We will continue to rely on the Florida Department of Health's sampling and their results and we will continue to post the most recent results as soon as we receive them.

New construction is required to hook up to septic and sewer. When we built our home 12 years ago, we hooked up but had to pay additional for 300 feet of pipe from the meter box to our home.
Meanwhile, my neighbor/cousin still has his septic tanks and uses our well (an arrangement between my dad and his mom, long deceased). He was interested in hooking up, but at a cost of nearly $10K, he decided that eating was more important.
Anyone know what the cost is now for an existing dwelling to connect to Regional Utilities?

$9,047 and change or more depending on the size of the home.

BP funds should have paid for all hookups. Maybe TDC surplus should.

BP funds should have paid for all hookups. Maybe TDC surplus should.

I don't think using TDC funds would be legal.

I looked at the Gulf this morning and I could not believe my eyes. I have never seen the Gulf so dirty looking. It is time for the County to start enforcing the requirment to hook up to sewer if available. We have more than some's pocketbook to worry about. We have our whole economy to consider.

You bought a home in BMB? Are you on a septic system? Did you know most of the homes in BMB are on septic? Do you understand the drain fields? What did you think would happen during a hurricane or extensive rains?

Misty---we are not on septic. We assumed wrongfully in the year 2016, that everyone would have legally had to fix their septic situation, as to not harm the environment and public. When a hurricane happens, which I've been through one, I expect things like this to happen. NOT bc there is an increase in tourists to the area.

I looked at the Gulf this morning and I could not believe my eyes. I have never seen the Gulf so dirty looking. It is time for the County to start enforcing the requirment to hook up to sewer if available. We have more than some's pocketbook to worry about. We have our whole economy to consider.

Please refer to my post, Who Opened The Out Flow, and see all the people that think it was OK.

No doubt, the septic has some culpability, but the tourons digging do to...

Misty---we are not on septic. We assumed wrongfully in the year 2016, that everyone would have legally had to fix their septic situation, as to not harm the environment and public. When a hurricane happens, which I've been through one, I expect things like this to happen. NOT bc there is an increase in tourists to the area.

It's not just tourists. We have had allot of rainfall and runoff. You also bought your home in an area KNOWN for tourism, tourists I might add who probably have no clue the house they rented is on a septic system prone to contaminating the beaches and waters in your area. The tourist are not to blame. Tropical storm Colin on June 6th of this year is more likely a culprit.

The Gulf is back to looking normal this morning.

Anyone know what the cost is now for an existing dwelling to connect to Regional Utilities?

$9,047 and change or more depending on the size of the home.

9K (approx.) would include water & sewer tap fees. It can be more...it also can be less. The cost is based on plumbing fixtures. Also, if in an area with gravity sewer (not grinder) it can be less because it doesn't require the cost of the grinder installation.

9K (approx.) would include water & sewer tap fees. It can be more...it also can be less. The cost is based on plumbing fixtures. Also, if in an area with gravity sewer (not grinder) it can be less because it doesn't require the cost of the grinder installation.

That cost is based on the minimum and you have to hook up both its not one or the other. 99% of homes will require a grinder pump.

That cost is based on the minimum and you have to hook up both its not one or the other. 99% of homes will require a grinder pump.

Not entirely correct. Some areas have Regional Utilities for sewer and South Walton Utility for water.
Also not sure about the 99% figure.

Not entirely correct. Some areas have Regional Utilities for sewer and South Walton Utility for water.
Also not sure about the 99% figure.

I'm referring entirely to Regional Utilities.

99% grinder pump is incorrect, in my opinion. But even it its true, the cost is minimal -- we have a grinder pump from regional. If you so choose, you can have your own grinder pump installed and maintain it on your own dime. Bad idea... Let the pros deal with the poo.

The 9k is tap-in. And then there is decommissioning of the old septic, which I'm sure isn't part of that 9k. It ain't cheap. Some folks will need help with this, and that's where the government should be able to help... Just an idea...

I guess all that info I just submitted to Regional Utilities and got back was fiction then, I'll leave it to you experts.

I'm referring entirely to Regional Utilities.

I'm referring entirely to Regional Utilities.

Rates Subject to increase based on fixture value worksheet

Water Impact Fee

$2,993.96



Meter Installation 5/8" Residential $ 471.21
Deposit (Refundable at cancellation of service) $ 50.00
Meter Deposit (Refundable after construction is complete and meter is in workable order) $ 100.00
Total Water Service Fees $3,615.17




Sewer Impact Fee $4,670.57
Total Cost of
W/S Impact fees
$7,664.53

Deposit (Refundable at cancellation of service) $ 50.00
Total Sewer Service Fees $4,720.57

Total for Both Services $8,335.74
Additional meter fees
1" meter-$500.68
2" meter-$901.44






Grinder Pump Installation Fee $ 707.24
Septic tank removal(crush and fill)
(Additional fill dirt priced as needed) $ 471.49
Recording Fees
($10 for 1st page, $8.50 thereafter including exhibit)


**Regional Utilities will require a notice from owner/contractor
to schedule the installation of Grinder Pumps.


Monthly Water Rates Monthly Sewer Rates
$22.28 for 6,000 gallons $41.23 for 10,000 gallons water usage
1.61 per 1,000 up to 10,000 After 10,000 gallons the rate will increase by 4.52 per 1,000 gallons up to 20,000
5.73 per 1,000 thereafter
3.85 per 1,000 up to 11,000
4.

What is $10K to someone who owns a multi-million-dollar home on the Gulf?

Too much apparently. Gulf Trace homeowners were given a discount off that amount and passed. They should be required to get off septic for the pub good.

More and more often during summer months because of all the people. We have septic tanks on the lakes and the gulf. Yes, there are septic tanks under the beautiful sand just east of you at Gulf Trace in Grayton Beach. Those people are playing right on top of tanks and drain fields.

This website is the only place you'll learn the truth about South Walton.

There are no tanks and drain fields on the beach. The ones that still have them (and I don't think there any) are located on the opposite side from the beach. I can't say that I know about the lake though.

There are no tanks and drain fields on the beach. The ones that still have them (and I don't think there any) are located on the opposite side from the beach. I can't say that I know about the lake though.

Unless someone replaced them in the middle of the night Gulf Trace still has septic tanks on the beach > septic tanks and feces

Please show proof that I am wrong. I would be happy to be wrong.

I have also seen them in Inlet Beach - uncovered after storms.

It's an important question. Regional Utilities would have that information. I'm not sure Regional covers Inlet Beach. Don't they have their own water system?