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Septic Tank Inspection Program Delayed
January 20, 2011
A new law went into effect January 1 in Florida requiring that septic tanks be inspected every five years, but now that law has been put on hold. Gov. Rick Scott let a bill providing for the delay become law this week without his signature, undoing the controversial mandate.
The bill, which was passed during a veto override special session last November, targets a provision in a wide-ranging springs protection bill that the requirement was included in last year.
Scott had 15 days from receiving the bill (SB 2A) to sign it or let it become law anyway. The bill had been on Scott’s desk since he took office January 4.
Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, called Scott’s inaction on the bill “a decisive step” which “postpones the implementation of septic tank inspection regulations, enabling lawmakers to analyze whether or not such a mandate is necessary and saving taxpayer dollars in the mean time.”
SB 2A is sponsored in part by Greg Evers, who represents the North Escambia area.
“The septic tank regulations are especially close to home for Northwest Florida residents, and Senators Evers, Dean and Gaetz have been instrumental in addressing concerns and preparing legislation that offers more time to assess such impactful regulation,” Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner said. “This provides us with time to thoroughly vet options and gain feedback from constituents in order to make the most well-informed decisions.”
“It doesn’t make any sense to me, and I want it repealed. Why is the state government involved in that? It makes no sense,” Scott told NorthEscambia.com about the septic tank inspection requirement during an exclusive campaign trail interview last November.
Comments
30 Responses to “Septic Tank Inspection Program Delayed”
Here’s the question? When they pump the septic tanks, where do they dump the contents? Will that not polute the ground water? Just asking!?! I rememeber seeing septc companies emptying and washing their trucks out in the local creeks. Does that still happen?
my house was built in 1958 and has a septic tank that has been pumped only once many, many years ago. Never since, we have learned how to take care of it. There may be some tanks that need to be inspected but certainly not every five years. I live on hard top soil land not in a lowland. Those in lowland areas may need to be inspected. But not every 5 years.
governor can’t kill a law after it is signed. legislature has to do that. otherwise the governor could change the laws as he saw fit and some governors throw fits.
David considering legislative process
Gov. Scott please don’t just delay this terrible law but KILL it. We do not need more burdens heaped upon us by the law. We will be responsible for our septic tanks. By the way, since we have no access to public sewer, what is our choice?
To Just An Old Soldier:
Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, but I have to agree with “Jimmy Carter” (for the first time since 1976).
I was educated in Zoology, Environmental Biology, have advanced degrees in Biology (not bad for a former grunt, eh? God Bless America!), and having looked at the hydrographic/geologic information for our counties (Escambia and Santa Rosa), and I have to call a “big BS” on ol’ Keith here.
This law, as written is over-reaching and unneeded. It is, pure and simple, taxation and punishment towards the Citizens of our State that use a septic system because they either choose to do so, cannot afford to do othrwise, or cannot access a sewage treatment facility. The opportunity for the homeowner to contaminate ground water is miniscule to near nonexistent.
There are so many other major contributors to water pollution that are more direct, and create greater problems. One example would be upstream contamination from out-of-State sources. It doesn’t take a genius to look at a map and see where the headwaters of our rivers and streams begin – follow that source and look at all the contributors to contamination. The majority would be industrial manufacturing and corporate farming. But this is about Septic Tanks here and now.
The proposers and proponents of this law are all fluff and nonsense. And Non-Science. Just punishment for those that oppose liberal-progressive nonsense, like many of us in the Panhandle. And many of us have septic systems. Most far from ground water sources, streams, ponds, lakes, or rivers.
BTW – ever look into how deep you have to go to get well water around here? Pretty deep, and beneath a nice big fat layer of clay, or two depending on how deep you wish to drill. Think a tiny little home septic tank can reach that? No, it can’t (unless you drill down into the aquifer and PUMP the sewage into it). Don’t mix your apples and oranges here, Bud. Stick to the surface.
If you were to say that a septic system within 100 feet of a stream MIGHT (but doubtful) be a potential source for stream contamination, I _might_ agree. That’s not what the Bill says. It says ALL septic systems. And that’s just malarkey in the classic sense of that word.
The shotgun approach to writing laws and governance is NEVER a good idea. And this was a “One Size Fits None” proposal from it’s beginning. Just another revenue scheme and kickback opportunity. Prove me wrong on that. I dare you.
Gov. Scott and Florida Lawmakers – Repeal the Septic Tax – NOW!
You are right “on the money”, CreamPuff!
One more thing. I am a progressive. I want America to do
well as it has always done. I want it to be looked up to by other countries.
I want everyone to always be able to have the American Dream and I want
there to still BE an AMERICAN DREAM.
If we therefore write laws that cost every citizen in Florida for something they
have absolutely nothing to do with at this time and hurt their finances for no
reason. HOW CAN THEY HAVE the AMERICAN DREAM.
Laws are supposed to be written to HELP the people not help the Government.
WE have way to many fat cats in Government passing and signing laws that hurt
the very people who hire them to take care of them and this country.
LOOK WHERE THAT HAS TAKEN US TO, AND LOOK HOW WELL THEY LIVE
AS OPPOSED TO HOW MOST AMERICANS LIVE. These fat cats have
huge salaries and health insurance and we will pay for them to live till the
day they die while they didn’t even take care of Social Security. OUR S.S.
MONEY THAT WE PUT IN TO THEIR HANDS FOR OUR ENTIRE LIFE.
WE NO LONGER TRUST THEM. WE WANT EXPLANATIONS.
If you bring up government here, that is why you hear a lot of anger. While
some of these people are hard headed and don’t know how to discuss
problems THEY DO HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY. THEY ARE AMERICANS
BEING FLEASED BY THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.
SO lets fix the REAL problems by the people who ARE THE REAL PROBLEMS
with THEIR MONEY on each individual problem basis.
You are talking in circles, Keith. I don’t mean to get personal, but dang! Ever thought about running for office? You sure sound like a politician. Do you know the difference between a properly operating ceptic tank and a ceptic tank that flows into a river? I really don’t think you understand how a ceptic tank system works. And yes, liberal socialism is around every corner.
Keith—-
I hear you and I get it, but why was this done like so many other government
laws (across the board and unilateral) with no thought what so ever with
tackling the real problem, which is OLD septic tanks and big business run off and
that is to say nothing about what should come first as in who is closest to
our water systems and who are some of the biggest polluters.
NO….. it was hit everyone who has a septic and everyone knows this will
be a money pit AND at a time when people can least afford it.
If we have a law that is necessary then lets write it that way and leave out
all the manutia of hitting people who have nothing to do with it, so with
many people this is ALL ABOUT MONEY and of course the first thing they
scream is socialism, liberals and your lucky you didn’t get called worse be
cause most of these people can’t fight with knowledge so they fight dirty.
They also can’t listen and discuss.
I feel this law needs repealed and IF we need to clean up our waterways
and our state then lets do it the right way and clean up EXACTLY WHO
WE NEED TO.
I like that David
We most of the time go overboard with ideas that we think will help, only to find out we have made a mess of it. The good LORD made the earth for us and with a little common sense used by man it can take care of us. Man should be smart enough to know don’t put a septic tank close to a body of water whether a lake, stream, creek or bay. But what is to close you might ask: well I would say around several thousand feet. But the rest of us who don’t even live close enough to a body of water to ever worry about that. The earth is a big filter and can handle the mess that we make. GOD made shur of that
David Huie, you are a hoot! And correct…
the most important thing, though, is that we must convince all the woodland creatures to always defecate and urinate in approved waste treatment facilities.
David for the bears, buzzards,
snakes, skunks,
armadillos, ants,
possums, coons,
rats, squirrels and deer
xpeecee and Jimmy Carter:
In many places in Florida, even in the Panhandle, the water table is very close to the surface. When too much nitrogen, or phosphorus enter the water table, they WILL eventually reach springs, surface water, or even the aquifer. Jimmy, I know more contaminants come from other sources. I also know that nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus pose a real threat at the levels they can reach as a result of septic systems, and it should be obvious to you that the leakiest are older than 30 years old and are dangerously misplaced because we didn’t require them to be above the water table until 1972. My training comes from a research paper I recently completed for a graduate course called Advanced Regional Geography Of Florida. I will admit to being angry. But I’m more a progressive than a liberal. Does that mean I’m evil? Does it effect the science? It’s interesting ya’ll went right after me personally instead of addressing the issue. Let’s stick to the topic. I looked at several studies, the most comprehensive done in the Wekiva area, and another done in my home counties of Walton and Okaloosa. You can find them on the Water Management District’s websites, St. Johns did one, and the NWFWMD did another, but the Department of Health also did a good analysis of the problem. It’s important we understand that septic run-off, from malfunctioning or improperly maintained, outdated tanks, is a threat to public health as well as the environment. Jimmy, my brother has the same certification as you do, and his is actually current. The “mandatory,” inspections required in the bill specifically FORBID improper searches without consent. We will need our springs to be clean, we will need to use the aquifer in the Panhandle for drinking water, and we will need to address the issue, I guarantee it will cost us more if we wait. Florida’s government allowed developers to build, mostly in South Florida, but not ONLY, in areas where infrastructure didn’t exist to support their communities and without sustainable impact fees to fund waste facilities. Now we have a mess to clean up. There are no socialists out to get you.
Ok, obviously the majority of people don’t want to be told how and when to handle thier own septic tanks. As home owners it is our responsibilty to deal with the issue ourselves. My late-husband, two kids, and I lived in our house for 20 years. I finally had the system drained about 2 years ago. There was no need, even after all that time. It was working just fine and draining like it’s designed to. So why would I want to spend money (and you know the price will skyrocket if it’s mandantory) if I don’t have to. Lets get govt. out of our business. We’re already forced to have auto insurance, and you’ve seen what that did to rates. Let’s all be responsible for our own actions. Write your representatives and make it plain that we do not want or need gov’t interferance.
Jimmy Carter made some “right on” points about ground water polutants and sounds like he has more common sense and knowledge about the topic than most of our lawmakers do.
If you maintain your own septic tank with annual filter cleanings, using products such as Rid-X as recommended, don’t flush things down that don’t belong in your toilet going into your septic tank, then there is no reason why your septic tank would be having problems, unless it’s just simply old and/or worn out and needs to be replaced, which in that case should be your problem and not mine!
If I’m being a responsible septic tank owner and taking care of my investment on my property, their is absolutely no reason why I should be forced to pay for an inspection for something that isn’t broken and pay for a mandatory drain out just that isn’t necessary because it’s working perfectly fine, just because a governmental dept. and/or private business see’s an oportunity to make money at my expense.
**Vote NO against mandatory septic tank inspection program**
Common sense. I have a house that was built in 1996 and the tank has never been pumped. The tank and drainfield perform flawlessly. I’m not sure which is more full of excrement…you or the tank.
The law is not stupid. The one-size-fits-all approach is. Every septic tank requires pumping, but the cycle is determined by the size and age of the family, size of the tank, household habits, and soils. It’s usually not the tank that fails, it’s the drainfield. Every onsite system should have a maintenance schedule determined by a certified pumper. Pumping the tank at the appropriate time prolongs the life of the drainfield. An inspection at the time of pump-out identifies the beginnings of maintenance issues and will save homeowners many thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs. Pumping septic tanks is the equivalent of changing the oil in vehicles. Do it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and the engine continues to function. Don’t change the oil and it turns to sludge, just like solids do in a septic tank. Both units then cease to function.
To Jane:
I certainly agree. We do not need to sit back and accept more and more regulation…
To Jimmy Carter:
Thank you for a correct and rational explanation…
OK, if you don’t want this law, start emailing/writing your representatives and the governor! Don’t sit there silently allowing a law you don’t want to become a law!! If you don’t participate in the government, then accept whatever they want to do!
I have worked as a Sewage Enforcement Officer and an Environmental Scientist. In both of these positions groundwaters effects on surface and subsurface water was prevalent. I can guaranty that far more and more toxic pollutants get into surface waters from storm water runoff than from septic systems. Septic systems that do not drain directly into surface waters are filtered by the surrounding soil and pose no threat. Surface runoff from commercial, industrial and agrarian sources have a much greater impact. Why do you think that the waterways health advisories are always issued after periods of heavy rainfall? Where did you get your training Keith?
To Keith Simmons:
Please explain exactly how a septic tank can affect a stream or river, when it is located miles away from either. Either you have incorrect information, or you are just another angry liberal…
Its a stupid law that should have been tweaked to only include septic systems within a specific distance of a waterway. Most people do not live close enough to a waterway to do environmental damage if their tank malfuntioned. The bill is not aiming at protecting groundwater as a properly funtioning tank will leach into the ground and disapate effluent before it reaches the water table. You want to see a problem? Take notice of where lift stations are located. Almost all are located near streams or waterways and dump thousands of gallons into those when they malfuntion.
It’s not a tax, it’s a reasonable requirement if you have a giant vat of feces just waiting to contaminate groundwater. By the time your local waterways and springs have increased pollutant levels enough to change the flora and fauna, it’ll be too late to pay the “inspector,” or your imaginary big government “socialists,” and you’ll have to pay somebody MORE to clean the crap out of your water.
So, if you like drinking feces, you’ll love Rick Scott.
I’m disappointed in Brad Drake, this is a simple issue that just needed explanation.
The requirements are “burdensome,” at all.
Repeal the Septic Tax – NOW!
A tax by any other name is a tax just the same. Across the board inspections would be an intrusion of privacy. But, that is a way that the government “creates” jobs.
The message was clear in the last election:
* We don’t want socialism
* We dont want more government
* We don’t want more taxes (as in septic tank inspections)
* We don’t want illegal aliens getting a free ride
* We don’t want more gun control
* We don’t want to depart from the Christian principals that our country was founded upon
For those who didn’t get the message, you will be voted out – – –
This is one of them things they hope will be forgotten and then they will sneak it in under some other law. Its coming so start saving. Notice he didn’t say do away with it. Another TAX!!!
If the law is not repealed then I want to be an inspector!! I see money in my pocket if is is not repealed.