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Septic Tank Inspections Still On Hold
July 1, 2011
Florida’s new septic tank inspection requirement legally takes effect today, but the inspections won’t begin any time soon, if ever.
The Senate tried — and failed — to repeal the mandatory inspections after a public outcry about cost and an unfair burden on rural residents. But language was inserted into a budget bill by Sen Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that prohibits the Department of Health from spending a dime on the inspections without the approval of the Legislative Budget Commission, of which Gaetz is a member.
“In my view, the septic tank mandate is an unnecessary policy,” Gaetz said. “It wrongly assumes that rural North Florida ought to be treated the same as heavily populated urban South Florida.”
The Senate failed to take up a bill sponsored by Greg Evers, R-Baker, repealing the measure prior to the end of the 2011 session.
“I regret that the importance and the need to pass this good piece of legislation was not acknowledged,” said Evers, who represents the North Escambia area. “Although my colleagues were unwilling to support the septic tank repeal at this time, I will keep fighting to reverse this law and I encourage you to keep fighting with me. This will remain my number one priority until we get it accomplished.”
The Florida House passed a measure in mid-April to repeal the mandatory inspection law that was passed in 2010 as part of a broader springs protection bill.
The House bill’s sponsor, Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marrianna, expressed her disappointment.
“I am very disappointed that the Senate chose not to repeal the septic tank inspection,” Coley said, adding that she was encouraged that the Senate stymied the effort with the budget committee approval requirement.
“With these provisions in place to protect our citizens, the fight to repeal this burdensome mandate will continue,” she said.
Backers of the law said it was necessary to protect springs and other waterways from pollution, but opponents argued it would drive up costs for homeowners. Opponents believe that tests — the financial responsibility of the property owner — could cost up to $500 for each of Florida’s 2.6 million septic tanks.
“No property owner in Florida need fear a swarm of bureaucrats and tank-testers invading their property,” Gaetz said. “The moratorium remains in effect.”
Comments
10 Responses to “Septic Tank Inspections Still On Hold”
One more way to make money. Do they really think if someone has a septic tank that needs to be pumped out they would not do it ?
Let’s find a solution instead of more problems to complain about. People without solutions don’t belong in politics. All these ‘tea-partiers’ got in office just to complain and nothing good came out of there legislation, go figure. We have polution problems. Some of our problems are caused by poorly constructed septic systems. This isn’t happening all over the state, but it is happening in some areas. All these false politicians act like it’s an all or nothing deal. FIND A SOLUTION AND QUIT TRYING TO GET PUBLICITY FOR THE SAKE OF PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I find it amazing that we are trying to promote Florida as some kind of ecological paradise while at the same time we continue to utilize third-world technology in our backyard to handle raw sewage. Three counties in Florida already test septic tanks, and 10% fail every year. If 10% of your neighbors dumped raw sewage into your yard and your well, wouldn’t you be just a little bit concerned?
ECUA has an over 2 million gallon spill of raw sewage into an estuary and from there into the river. Oops and that’s about it?!! No big push for more State involvement and these spills happen over and over again throughout each state but they don’t get the scrutiny from the State.
My little septic tank that could never leak outside my property and could never cause anyone a problem unless they dug it up, opened the lid, and fell in. So the State thinks WE need to be inspected and pay for it over and over.
Hey if they ran a sewage line past a house and required attachment – OK. They should require inspections on tanks when a home is being sold. At lease that makes some sense. Requiring inspections of my septic tank just to grab some fee money – NO!
Jimmy is right– the supposedly small-government “conservative” Don Gaetz voted FOR the original septic tank bill. I guess he didn’t think anyone would notice– now he’s allegedly trying to get it repealed. Even as the incoming president of the Florida Senate he wasn’t able to “grease the skids” and get it passed in the senate– imagine that…
just another way to line somebodys pockets with money.alot of people will go to jail cause they dont allow people on their property doning something that stupied as this. they better think about this or it could be real nasty.times are hard enough without adding more money for people to pay such a price.
I don’t get it. Don Gaetz voted FOR this bill setting up the septic tanks in the first place! He is just trying now to cover his tracks. Nice try, Gaetz. Greg, thank you for always opposing this crazy scheme. We are counting on you to get it repealed. Let us know what we can do to help you get the votes you need.
Ok, GOOD JOB trying Greg Evers! Keep fighting for us!
Common on people, let’s start another anti-septic tank petition! And start emailing, calling and writing the legislature asking them to repeal this law! If we don’t fight it it will be another bad peice of legislation that they stuffed down our throats, and we can only blame ourselves if we don’t fight it!
Keep up the good work, Mr. Evers!
I see the names of Sen Gaetz, Sen Coley, and Rep Evers working to repeal the septic tank extortion bill. I would like to see the names of Sen Constantine (septic insp bill sponsor) and Charlie Christ who signed it into law, plus the names of all who voted yes on this bill, listed as well. When the breakdown comes we will want to have two list of names, those who were with us and those who were against us. 429SCJ for correct names on correct list.