State implements new septic system requirements
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – New requirements for new and existing septic systems are now in effect in parts of Alachua County following updates to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Basin Management Action Plans.
The goal is to improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution.
Enhanced Nutrient Reducing (ENR) septic systems are designed to reduce nitrogen pollution and are now the requirement for:
- New and existing systems on all lot sizes within the Silver Basin by 2046
- New systems on all lot sizes in the Santa Fe priority focus area
- New systems on lots of 1.0 acres or less in the Orange Creek and Santa Fe Basin (outside of the priority focus area)
An online mapping tool can help determine which basin a property is in and the corresponding septic system requirements by clicking on a parcel.
Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has received funding from FDEP to provide rebates up to $16,000 to upgrade existing systems to ENRs within the Silver and Santa Fe basins.
Residents are encouraged to fill out an online form if interested in the rebate. Applicants will then receive an email with the next steps, which include working with the permitting agency and a registered septic contractor or certified plumber to determine which system is best for them. Funds are limited, and staff are actively working to secure additional funding.
“Traditional septic systems do not treat nitrogen from our waste,” said Stacie Greco, the County’s Water Resources program manager. “Nitrogen is the main pollutant harming our groundwater and springs and contributes to harmful algal outbreaks.”
To learn more about septic systems, the rebate program, and a link to the septic system permitting agency, visit Alachua County EPD’s website.
What does an ‘ENR’ septic system consist of? Special filters, treatments, and cleaning and emptying times and procedures? Are they installing a black light in the septic tank to kill bacteria? Looks like another money grab to me.
This “smells” like a private equity money grab, just like they did to HVAC companies, etc., etc. Alachua has been trying to figure out a way to tax the water being drawn from wells for a long time.
Eventually, They want to hook people up to the municipal sewer system to make money… I have a well and a septic tank so they can’t make money selling me their water or hooking me up to their sewer system..
They want to connect you to the grid, and taking away your private property rights….
Weren’t they worried about the nitrogen gas from cow farts a few years ago ?
Sunday: they were worried about CO2 emissions from the cow farts causing global warming, and the nitrogen from the cow pies making algae blooms in the river..
There’s nothing wrong with septic tanks…they work fine…