A Different and Better Approach to Onsite Sewage Management
A Different and Better Approach to Onsite Sewage Management Programs
Christie McNamara, Environmental Manager FDOH-Brevard
7/9/2015
1
County Overview • Brevard County stretches 72 miles along Florida’s East Coast • Population 500,000 • Approximately 90,000 onsite sewage systems 7/9/2015
2
Aerobic Treatment Units • Otherwise known as an ATU • Septic system that achieves enhanced sewage treatment by promoting aerobic bacteria growth by introducing oxygen into the treatment receptacle • Better treatment=benefits • More regulations
7/9/2015
3
Regulations • Require a service contract with an approved maintenance entity • Require a biennial operating permit from the department • May require sampling • Chapter 381.0065 F.S. and 64E-6 F.A.C.
7/9/2015
4
ATU Operating Permit Program
• Challenges we have faced • Successful management practices and tools
7/9/2015
5
Challenges • Brevard County Code of Ordinances Chapter 46 • Density restrictions requiring ATUs • 30% build out for blocks with well & septic • 66% build out for blocks with public water & septic
7/9/2015
6
How we got here… • GDC subdivisions platted for public utilities but never completed • 0.25 acres lots • Tri-Party Agreement – Closed blocks to further build out • ATUs are permitted through county variances
7/9/2015
7
The Building Boom
2436 ATUs
7/9/2015
8
Challenges Continued… • Unaware Realtors & Home Builders – Disclosure – Foreclosures Sales • Unaware Property Owners – Frustration – Non Compliance 7/9/2015
9
• Maintenance Entity (M.E.) Compliance – Completing service inspections – Submitting service inspections – Notifying the department of DNRs (Did Not Renew) and system failures
7/9/2015
10
• State Inspections – Non compliance – Property owner notification – M.E. notification – Data entry – Quota reports – Enforcement 7/9/2015
11
• Operating Permits – Billing – Correct & complete applications – Enforcement • Maintenance Agreements – Tracking – Enforcement 7/9/2015
12
In Summary: • Education • Tracking • Enforcement
7/9/2015
13
Management Practices & Tools • Coordination – Maintain databases – Train staff – Point of contact – Monitor program – Consistency
7/9/2015
14
• Database management Tools – EHD – Carmody • Interactive • Detailed Property Information • Manage inspections • Property history • Extractible data • Customized 7/9/2015
15
– Septicsearch.com • Universal access • All onsite systems • Permit documents • Inspection history
7/9/2015
16
• Enforcement – Brevard County Special Magistrate • Adopted statute and rule • BCHD was county run • Consistency – DOH Legal • Immediate Action • Path to Civil/Criminal Court 7/9/2015
17
• Process – Property research – Non Compliance letter – Notice of Violation letter – Referral to Special Magistrate or Legal • Enforcement Tracking – Carmody – Enforcement Log 7/9/2015
18
• Education/Outreach – Annual Contractor Meetings – Program Updates – Carmody Trainings – Door Hangers – Presentations to Realtors – Internal Staff Trainings/Webinars 7/9/2015
19
Where we are now… • More consistent program • Credible program • Program awareness in the community
7/9/2015
20
Where we are headed… • Maturing program • Full contractor compliance • In a perfect world: – Recorded as a deed restriction Property owner responsible for O.P. – Include program fees in escrow 7/9/2015
21
Questions?
7/9/2015
22
Christie McNamara, Environmental Manager FDOH-Brevard
7/9/2015
1
County Overview • Brevard County stretches 72 miles along Florida’s East Coast • Population 500,000 • Approximately 90,000 onsite sewage systems 7/9/2015
2
Aerobic Treatment Units • Otherwise known as an ATU • Septic system that achieves enhanced sewage treatment by promoting aerobic bacteria growth by introducing oxygen into the treatment receptacle • Better treatment=benefits • More regulations
7/9/2015
3
Regulations • Require a service contract with an approved maintenance entity • Require a biennial operating permit from the department • May require sampling • Chapter 381.0065 F.S. and 64E-6 F.A.C.
7/9/2015
4
ATU Operating Permit Program
• Challenges we have faced • Successful management practices and tools
7/9/2015
5
Challenges • Brevard County Code of Ordinances Chapter 46 • Density restrictions requiring ATUs • 30% build out for blocks with well & septic • 66% build out for blocks with public water & septic
7/9/2015
6
How we got here… • GDC subdivisions platted for public utilities but never completed • 0.25 acres lots • Tri-Party Agreement – Closed blocks to further build out • ATUs are permitted through county variances
7/9/2015
7
The Building Boom
2436 ATUs
7/9/2015
8
Challenges Continued… • Unaware Realtors & Home Builders – Disclosure – Foreclosures Sales • Unaware Property Owners – Frustration – Non Compliance 7/9/2015
9
• Maintenance Entity (M.E.) Compliance – Completing service inspections – Submitting service inspections – Notifying the department of DNRs (Did Not Renew) and system failures
7/9/2015
10
• State Inspections – Non compliance – Property owner notification – M.E. notification – Data entry – Quota reports – Enforcement 7/9/2015
11
• Operating Permits – Billing – Correct & complete applications – Enforcement • Maintenance Agreements – Tracking – Enforcement 7/9/2015
12
In Summary: • Education • Tracking • Enforcement
7/9/2015
13
Management Practices & Tools • Coordination – Maintain databases – Train staff – Point of contact – Monitor program – Consistency
7/9/2015
14
• Database management Tools – EHD – Carmody • Interactive • Detailed Property Information • Manage inspections • Property history • Extractible data • Customized 7/9/2015
15
– Septicsearch.com • Universal access • All onsite systems • Permit documents • Inspection history
7/9/2015
16
• Enforcement – Brevard County Special Magistrate • Adopted statute and rule • BCHD was county run • Consistency – DOH Legal • Immediate Action • Path to Civil/Criminal Court 7/9/2015
17
• Process – Property research – Non Compliance letter – Notice of Violation letter – Referral to Special Magistrate or Legal • Enforcement Tracking – Carmody – Enforcement Log 7/9/2015
18
• Education/Outreach – Annual Contractor Meetings – Program Updates – Carmody Trainings – Door Hangers – Presentations to Realtors – Internal Staff Trainings/Webinars 7/9/2015
19
Where we are now… • More consistent program • Credible program • Program awareness in the community
7/9/2015
20
Where we are headed… • Maturing program • Full contractor compliance • In a perfect world: – Recorded as a deed restriction Property owner responsible for O.P. – Include program fees in escrow 7/9/2015
21
Questions?
7/9/2015
22
