Required Septic Tank Inspection Bill Moves To Senate Floor

March 2, 2012

The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday approved a measure to provide some flexibility to cities and counties over septic tank regulation, a step back from a septic tank inspection requirement passed two years ago.

Responding to a 2010 law to protect Florida springs, several bills were introduced last year aimed at either eliminating the inspection program or scaling it back.

The Senate requires an inspection program in counties with first magnitude springs – though they could opt out. In other counties, the default is to repeal the requirement, though they could opt in.

Existing local inspection programs would be grandfathered in.

The measure remains controversial, with property owners, environmentalists, municipal water utilities and others chiming in from various perspectives.

Critics say the bill ignores the science that governs septic systems and will prevent effective regulation of septic systems.

A bill that passed the House would repeal the requirement altogether, though it allows local governments to vote to keep an inspection program if they have first magnitude springs nearby.

Escambia and Santa Rosa counties do not have first magnitude springs.

Comments

4 Responses to “Required Septic Tank Inspection Bill Moves To Senate Floor”

  1. Jane on March 4th, 2012 7:53 am

    No to mandatory septic tank inspections! Let your state senator know how you feel!

  2. c.w. on March 2nd, 2012 8:35 am

    Don Gaetz has shown his true colors. Now his vote is for his campaign. No vote for this idoit! Gaetz need to go.

  3. Fairlane63 on March 2nd, 2012 8:03 am

    Let’s hope Don Gaetz votes to repeal the septic tank law– questionable though since he voted for it when it originally passed.

  4. Jane on March 2nd, 2012 4:58 am

    Email your state senator to pass this bill!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News