Central Sewer Study Committee Work

The Central Sewer Study Committee for Highlands County was formed as part of a mandate from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), a state agency which oversees county planning and development.  The DCA has required the county to determine if and where central sewer is necessary, and if necessary, how to implement the necessary practices. 

The activity associated with this committee include a water quality investigation of 17 area lakes to determine whether septic tanks and/or 'package' treatment plants are adversely impacting lake water quality.  The lakes chosen for the study are: Charlotte, Clay, Francis, Glenada, Grassy, Huckleberry, Huntley, Josephine, June, Little Jackson, Lotela, Persimmon, Pioneer, Placid, Red Beach, Sebring and Wolf.  Water samples have been taken in October 2000, and February, March, May and September of 2001.  All samples have been analyzed for Enterococci bacteria, which have been shown to have a high correlation to the presence of human pathogens and which do not grow naturally in Florida, unlike the more traditional coliform bacteria.  Scientists have determined that when Enterococci bacteria are present in numbers above 108 MFUs (colonies formed on agar per ml of water added), then there is an 85% probability that human waste is present as well.  In May and September we also tested water samples for nitrogen, phosphorus and nitrogen isotope ratios (which tell whether nitrogen came from an organic or inorganic source).  In September 2001 we also collected water to be tested for the presence of caffeine, which only comes from human sources.  Results of this testing are included in a final report developed by the committee.  Stop by our office for a copy of the final report.

Committee work also included identification of the location of small 'package' waste treatment plants that may discharge treated water near surface water bodies.  The committee looked at a wide range of solutions to any problems that are found, since the installation of central sewer can be costly, to determine the solution that is best economically and best for the environment.  Possible solutions include requiring homeowners to maintain their tanks by a set schedule, requiring additions to septic tanks to better treat waste, and use of newer technologies where appropriate. 

Part of the solution will surely be public education of homeowners regarding septic tank maintenance.  Septic tanks can function very well when installed properly and when maintained - and the maintenance aspect of septic tank ownership is where most homes fall short.  Septic tanks need to be pumped out every 3 to 5 years on average, depending on household size.  It is possible for a tank to be full of sludge and not functioning properly without the tank 'backing up.'  It takes about 3 to 5 years of average use for the sludge to reach the top of the tank, which means that the water no longer has any time to sit in the tank for treatment to 'break down' before flowing into the drainfield.  Garbage disposals can decrease the time it takes to fill the tank with sludge.  Homeowners should have their tanks and drainfields inspected at least every other year to determine whether maintenance is required to keep the tank functioning as it was intended to and to protect the environment.  The cost of having a tank pumped is approximately $150 for an average situation.