Indian River County OitS T t t dOnsite Sewage Treatment ... River County OitS T t t dOnsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (Septic)Disposal Systems (Septic) Cheryl L. Dunn,

Indian River County O it S T t t dOnsite Sewage Treatment and

Disposal Systems (Septic)Disposal Systems (Septic)

Cheryl L. Dunn, R.S.Environmental Manager

Florida Department of HealthFlorida Department of HealthIndian River County

Onsite Sewage Disposal System

Indian River County DataIndian River County Data• Record of 36,864 new septic system

permits• 17,554 or 48% of the 36,864 were , ,

permitted prior to 1983• City of Vero Beach estimates 900 septicCity of Vero Beach estimates 900 septic

systems on the barrier island• 747 or 83% of the 900 were permitted• 747 or 83% of the 900 were permitted

prior to 1983.

PRE - 1983 CONSTRUCTED HOME

25 te SO f•o.t

< )

.. u

POST -1983 CONSTRUCTED HOME

50 to 75 feet

24 inches

1983 Rule Changes1983 Rule Changes• 1983 and newer standards require 24 inch q

separation from the water table and at least a 50 feet setback from surface water for new constructionconstruction

• Septic systems installed prior to 1983 may have a 6 inch or less separation form the water tablea 6 inch or less separation form the water table and may be only 25 feet or closer to surface water such as the lagoon.

• Code allows for septic systems to be repaired to past standards and setback not meeting new system standardssystem standards.

“Grandfathered” SetbackGrandfathered Setback Requirements for Repairs

Only 25 feet from Indian River and irrigation wells

Septic Failure (Repairs)p ( p )An average new residential septic system in Florida septic system in Florida functions properly for 18 years with maintenance.Contributing factors of a failure:• Roots• Storm water• Damage (Vehicles)• Misuse• Misuse• Overuse (Conserve)• Lack of maintenance• Age

Indian River OSTDS Construction Data

1600

1200

1400

800

1000

400

600

0

200

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

New System Permits Repair Permits

Type #1 Septic FailureType #1 Septic Failure

You know about it. Very You know about it. Very inconvenient and the homeowner usually applies for ya repair permit.

• Slow flushing toilets or draining plumbing

• Sewage backs-up into the house

• Disagreeable inside odors

Type #2 Septic Failure

Y k b t it b t d

Type #2 Septic Failure

You know about it, but so do your neighbors. Typically, after a complaint is filed against the p ghomeowner, they apply for a repair permit. (If reported or noticed)

• Surface flow of wastewater• Excess liquid on top of q p

drainfield area (blowing out)• Visible safety issue• Disagreeable outside odor

Type #3 Septic Failureyp pFailure is not obvious, green grass with

b k d S ti t no back-ups or odor. Septic system may be too close to surface water or ground water for sewage effluent to be ground water for sewage effluent to be treated properly.

C i Concern is ground water

and surface water contamination

SB 550 and HB 1263SB 550 and HB 1263

5 l ti f ti t• 5 year evaluations of septic system (Voluntary)

• Importance of maintenance• Redefines septic failurep• First magnitude springs • Performance Based Systems• Performance Based Systems• Passive Nitrogen Reduction Study 2015

EHD Data 1998 - Present

Factors Affecting Proper Function of an Onsite Wastewater Disposal Wastewater Disposal

Systemy• Type of soil• Separation to ground waterSeparation to ground water• Separation to surface water

A f th t t• Age of the structure• Systems not built to current new system

standards

Drainfield Sizing and ElevationDrainfield Elevation Determination:

g

Soil Type

Texture

Wet Season Water Table (WSWT)

PermeabilityPermeability

Onsite Waste Water Out of Sight and MindOut of Sight and Mind

Not enough farea for a

system to serve a 4 bedroom residence.

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

• Know the location of septic system andKnow the location of septic system and protect it (trees/shrubs, vehicles, structures excess water)structures, excess water)

• Pump tank every 3-5 years (tune-up)Thi k b t h t tti d th• Think about what you are putting down the drain or flushing down the toilet ( h i l di i )(chemicals, medicines, grease)

• Practice water conservation

Inventory and Data AccuracyInventory and Data Accuracy

Wastewater Service Area

25,773 Sewer Customers

44,485 Water Customers

More InformationMore Information• Indian River CountyIndian River County

Health Department 772-794-440794 440

• myfloridaeh.com• IRCHD EH@doh state fl us• [email protected]