Has been approved to pursue grant...
The deadline for the grant application is
November 15, 2018.
Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides federal funding to address nonpoint source
pollution. One qualifying activity for this funding is septic to sewer projects.
1.2.5 of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan Coastal Management section states
that septic tanks shall not be permitted near any coastal wetlands, coastal dune lakes and their
outfalls, living resources, coastal dune and dune systems, beaches, and other coastal wildlife
habitats until an applicant has received approval from the Florida Department of Health/County
Health Department, and then only if there is no central system available.
There are approximately 80 septic systems located within the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone
of the 15 Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes that have not been connected to central sewer.
As septic systems fail within these areas, they are required to hook up to central sewer, if available.
The goal of the proposed project is to reduce the pollution loading potentially caused by septic
systems to the Coastal Dune Lakes by providing a 60% discount to these property owners to
voluntarily convert their septic systems to sewer.
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As you can see above, owners will have to hook up eventually as apparently no repair or replacement septic permits will be issued so if the grant is approved it would be wise for owners to take advantage of it now.