Tallahassee-Leon County Wakulla Springs Initiative
Require Use of Performance Based Septic Systems
Comprehensive Plan policies adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and City Commission on January 7, 2009 require the use of performance based septic systems (also called Performance Based On-Site Treatment Disposal Systems (OSTDS)) for new development, redevelopment and to replace existing failed traditional septic tanks in the Primary Springs Protection Zone by December 31, 2010. Relevant policies from the adopted Comprehensive Plan are included in italics at the bottom of this page. The complete Comprehensive Plan is available here.
History of Leon County Ordinance to Implement the Use of Performance Based OSTDS
In order to develop and adopt the details regarding implementation of the Comprehensive Plan policies, the County Health Department worked with the Septic System Advisory Committee to develop a draft Ordinance.
The draft Ordinance was scheduled for a First Public Hearing on February 12, 2009. After discussion by the Board of County Commissioners and public testimony a motion was carried 4-0 to conduct the first of two public hearings to consider the Ordinance and to schedule the second and final public hearing for March 19, 2009.
The draft Ordinance was scheduled for the Second and Final Public Hearing on March 19, 2009. After discussion by the Board of County Commissioners and public testimony a motion was carried 5-2 to continue the Ordinance indefinitely until it has been completely vetted by staff and the Board has had time to review. The minuets and materials from this meeting are available here.
To address questions raised by the Board of County Commissioners at the March 19, 2009 Public Hearing a Workshop Regarding On-site Sewage Disposal Systems was held on May 12, 2009. Actions taken at the workshop were ratified at the June 9, 2009 Commission Meeting. The Workshop Materials and Agenda Item for ratification of actions taken at the workshop are both available on the County website.
This site will be updated to communicate the direction provided by the Board of County Commissioners after minutes form the June 9th meeting become available.
Comprehensive Plan Policies Related to Septic Systems in the Primary Springs Protection Zone
CONSERVATION ELEMENT:
Policy 4.2.5: [C] (Effective 4-10-2009)
Policy 4.2.5: [C] (Effective 4-10-2009)
By 2010, local government shall adopt in the Land Development Regulations a mapped Primary Spring Protection Zone (PSPZ) for Wakulla Springs based on the Leon County Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment (LAVA). Land development regulations shall be adopted to establish additional requirements and regulations within the PSPZ to minimize the adverse impacts of development on groundwater recharge quality and quantity. At a minimum, local government shall address the items below:
- When connection to sewer facilities designed to achieve Advanced Wastewater Treatment standards is not available, new development and redevelopment in the PSPZ shall use Performance Based On-Site Treatment Disposal Systems (OSTDS) as defined in Policy 1.2.6: [SS]. Existing traditional OSTDS shall be upgraded to Performance Based OSTDS when the traditional OSTDS fails, as defined in the Florida Administrative Code. A process providing alternatives to upgrading to a Performance Based OSTDS at the time of traditional OSTDS failure may be developed for low-income households. To ensure that all existing traditional OSTDS and new Performance Based OSTDS function effectively, local government shall designate or institute a Responsible Management Entity and supporting fee structure.
SANATARY SEWER SUBELEMENT:
Policy 1.2.2: [SS] (Effective 7/16/90)
Leon County shall establish a countywide program that:
a) Inspects and monitors existing septic tanks for compliance with state and local regulations;
b) Educates the public on the proper operation and maintenance of septic tanks.
Policy 1.2.5: [SS] (Effective 12/29/05)
Facilities other than traditional septic systems must be provided before development is allowed in areas where severe soil limitations exist for septic systems.
Policy 1.2.6: [SS] (Effective4/10/2009)
Within the Primary Springs Protection Zone, as identified in Policy 4.2.5 [C], Performance Based On-Site Treatment Disposal Systems shall be required when connection to sewer facilities designed to achieve Advanced Wastewater Treatment standards is not available. Performance Based On-Site Treatment Disposal Systems must be a design that is certified and/or tested by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 245 to demonstrate no more than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) Nitrogen at the outlet of the final treatment chamber or reduces the effluent Nitrogen concentration by a minimum of seventy percent (70%). Performance based systems shall comply with the applicable standards found in Part IV, ch. 64E-6, F.A.C.
GLOSSARY:
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT ENTITY: A legal entity that has the technical, managerial, and financial capacity to ensure viable long-term, cost-effective, centralized management, operation, and maintenance of decentralized wastewater systems in accordance with appropriate regulations and generally accepted accounting principles. Viability is defined as the capacity of a responsible management entity to provide adequate technical, managerial, and financial resources to protect the public health and the environment consistently, in perpetuity, and at a minimal cost to taxpayers.