Two years ago, execution of a state law mandating the inspections bogged down as the Legislature worked on revisions. Gov. Rick Scott has signed a law that repealed the 2010 legislation and replaced it with one that gives most counties the option to institute an inspection program meeting state standards or go without one.
This county/state program would mean a $300 to $500 charge every five years for every home with a septic tank and possibly several thousand dollars for repairing or replacing a defective tank.
County Commissioner Ray Judah said he’d like to see areas in close proximity to waterways get inspected first because that will pay off with improved water quality.
“Tourism is a $65 billion industry statewide and it’s all dependent on clean water,” Judah said. “You’re going to want to start with the hot spots.”
But it could help protect water quality and the tourism industry that depends on it, advocates say.
Roland Ottolini, director of the county’s Natural Resources Division, said We’re still working on the details (of this proposed ordinance) because it’s a complex system.”
But the county ordinance has to comply with state guidelines, so everyone with a septic tank would be inspected once every five years — although how the rotation is set up hasn’t been determined, he said.
For one thing, it’s not known exactly where the oldest septic tanks are situated, Ottolini said. “We’re working on that kind of database.”
If approved by the county commission, the program would be administered by the state Health Department.
well i guess this will cost lehigh residents more than any other community in lee countyfor we have more septics out here, maybe frank mann should start doing something for lehigh, which he claims he does.. then again why hasnt our water and sewerage company done something about putting more people on the system…