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Division of Environmental Health: Bureau of Onsite Sewage

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Statewide Septic Tank Evaluation Program

"Proper septic system maintenance is a commonly overlooked responsibility. Failing systems are a significant threat to our health and our water quality. Property owners can save themselves a lot of money and trouble by following a few simple guidelines." - Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water, US EPA

Update June 2011

The 2011 Legislature did not repeal or modify the septic tank evaluation program established in 2010. While the implementation date was moved to July 2, 2011 by the November 2010 Special Session, the department would have to adopt a rule to implement the program. In addition, the Legislature added language in the Budget Implementation Act requiring the department to submit a plan for approval by the Legislature Budget Commission before expending funds in furtherance of the evaluation program. Finally, any rule adopted by the department will require ratification from the Legislature. The department would restart rule development after approval by the Legislature Budget Commission. Information will be posted on the Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs website at www.MyFloridaEH.com

Chapter 2010-205, Laws of Florida (361 kb pdf)

Passive Nitrogen Removal Study

Six sampling events have been completed at the test center in Wimauma Florida evaluating various combinations of passive nitrogen reducing media. Multiple homeowner agreements throughout Florida have been executed for research to be conducted for Task B (Field Testing of Technologies) and Task C (Evaluation of Nitrogen Reduction Provided by Soils and Shallow Groundwater). A nitrogen reduction system has been installed in Wakulla County for the Task B field testing. A tracer test has been conducted at the existing mound system at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma Florida to assist with characterizing the movement of effluent from the mound. Three sample events have been completed for the existing mound system at GCREC for Task C. One home site in Wakulla County has been instrumented, monitored, and evaluated for Task C.

For more information, please visit our Passive Nitrogen Reduction Study page.

 

*Note: Materials are in the Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files.

Page last updated August 18, 2011.