Status of Septic Systems in the East and West Spring Lake Area Presented by Karl Henry, R.E.H.P., M.B.A. Environmental Administrator Florida Department.

Status of Septic Systems in Status of Septic Systems in the East and West Spring the East and West Spring

Lake AreaLake Area

Presented byPresented byKarl Henry, R.E.H.P., M.B.A.Karl Henry, R.E.H.P., M.B.A.Environmental AdministratorEnvironmental Administrator

Florida Department of Health Florida Department of Health in Charlotte Countyin Charlotte County

BackgroundBackground

East and West Spring Lake is part of the Managed Septic East and West Spring Lake is part of the Managed Septic ProgramProgram

The purpose of the managed septic program is to maintain The purpose of the managed septic program is to maintain the surface water and groundwater quality standards in the surface water and groundwater quality standards in Charlotte CountyCharlotte County

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Administration Commission acting on behalf of the Florida Administration Commission acting on behalf of the Department of Community Affairs issued Final Order the Department of Community Affairs issued Final Order AC89-5 that accepted the non sewer solution as a managed AC89-5 that accepted the non sewer solution as a managed septic program.septic program.

BackgroundBackground FDEP required the BOCC to implement a program within 180 days, to FDEP required the BOCC to implement a program within 180 days, to

ensure that ensure that septic systems within the drainage area of the Manchester within the drainage area of the Manchester Waterway be appropriately pumped out and maintained in a functional Waterway be appropriately pumped out and maintained in a functional condition. condition.

On August 28, 2007 BOCC passed (County Ordinance No. 2007-061) On August 28, 2007 BOCC passed (County Ordinance No. 2007-061) that required the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, to that required the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, to develop and administer a program that would regularly service and develop and administer a program that would regularly service and inspect the area, and adopt a fee schedule to defray the expenses. inspect the area, and adopt a fee schedule to defray the expenses.

The Final Order and DEP permit require the program to be enforced The Final Order and DEP permit require the program to be enforced until all affected residences are placed on a sanitary sewer system. until all affected residences are placed on a sanitary sewer system.

Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, (2013), http://www.charlottechd.com/eh/index.Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, (2013), http://www.charlottechd.com/eh/index.

BackgroundBackground

The monitoring includes, evaluation of properties, resolving The monitoring includes, evaluation of properties, resolving customer complaints, and maintaining the septic tracking data customer complaints, and maintaining the septic tracking data base.base.

The managed program requires that septic tanks are pumped The managed program requires that septic tanks are pumped and inspected by a licensed septic contractor or plumber and the and inspected by a licensed septic contractor or plumber and the Health Department issuing a 5 year operating permit.Health Department issuing a 5 year operating permit.

Managed Septic System 2008 - Managed Septic System 2008 - 20132013

Original List 7152  

Complied 6022 84%

Not complied at all 393 5.5%

Pumped but not paid 657 9%

Paid but not pumped 80 1%

Total 1130 16%

Need Repairs 277 4%

Repaired 1782 25%

Total 2059 29%

Managed Septic System Managed Septic System Repairs 2008 - 2013Repairs 2008 - 2013

Repairs in Managed Systems

438412

352307

135 138

050

100150200250300350400450500

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Year Repairs Done

Charlotte County Managed Charlotte County Managed Septic System – Spring LakeSeptic System – Spring Lake

Total number to be connected 1850

Not complied at all 13

Pumped but not paid 66

Paid but not pumped 204

Total 283

Repaired 265

Heavy CorrosionHeavy Corrosion

Exterior EvidenceExterior Evidence

Exterior Evidence

10% of Tanks With Hole in 10% of Tanks With Hole in Hatch / LidHatch / Lid

SEWAGE TO GROUNDWATERSEWAGE TO GROUNDWATER

CORROSION INSIDE TANKCORROSION INSIDE TANK

TANK WITH HOLE IN SIDETANK WITH HOLE IN SIDE

CORRODED TANK FAILINGCORRODED TANK FAILING

CORRODED TANK LIDCORRODED TANK LID

FAILED DRAIN FIELDFAILED DRAIN FIELD

HOLE IN TANK WITH HOLE IN TANK WITH CARDBOARD PLUGCARDBOARD PLUG

CORROSION AROUND OUTLET CORROSION AROUND OUTLET ALLOWING FOR SEWAGE LEAKALLOWING FOR SEWAGE LEAK

Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities

Whether or not the resolution is adopted there is a need for Whether or not the resolution is adopted there is a need for consistency in enforcement in managed area.consistency in enforcement in managed area.

Staffing – shortage due to workforce reduction in 2011. Staff will be Staffing – shortage due to workforce reduction in 2011. Staff will be better able to handle the workload for the Managed System if the better able to handle the workload for the Managed System if the resolution is adopted.resolution is adopted.

Opportunity for stakeholder partnership in education about the Opportunity for stakeholder partnership in education about the maintenance of septic systems. Partnership with university and the maintenance of septic systems. Partnership with university and the community.community.

Our goal is to make our community healthier

Thank you !!