Performance-Based Septic Systems Now Required for All New Installations in Wakulla County

CRAWFORDVILLE – The Board of County Commissioners for Wakulla County has issued an Ordinance (# 2006-58) to help protect the springs and waterways of our county.  Passed in October of 2006, the ordinance will go into effect immediately.

To educate and inform property owners and contractors about these new requirements, the Wakulla County Health Department has been participating in meetings to address several topics surrounding the implementation of a Performance-based septic system as outlined in Wakulla County Ordinance #2006-58 this week.

“Training and technical support will be provided,” says March Hooks of the State Health Office of Florida's Department of Health.  "DCA and DOH are here to ease some of your concerns about performance-based systems and what they may mean for your county."

DOH is ready to start implementing the permits for the new system requirements.  “Wakulla is setting the pace”, says Eb Roeder of the State Health Office of Florida’s DOH.

A Performance-Based System is a wastewater treatment system designed to treat waste and “perform to” a certain level (i.e. Total Nitrate to 10mg/L).

More about Performance-Based systems:

Sampling is ONLY required on systems with the highest level of treatment.  The Wakulla Springs Protection stipulations address nitrogen only, therefore no sampling is required.  Further, no specific testing is outlined in the county ordinance.

Submitted applications require the use of a Florida Professional Engineer - experienced in wastewater system design.  These professionals will be assuring that the applications submitted are designed to meet the requirements of the county ordinance.

Any of the contractors in this area are qualified to install one of these systems and they are ready to go.  The Wakulla County Health Department has worked with them to assure that they are prepared and ready for your business.

At this time any applications that are submitted to the Wakulla County Health Department must be for Performance Based Treatment Systems that are capable of reducing effluent levels of Total Nitrogen to 10mg/L.

- Melvena Wilson, MPH, Wakulla County Health Department 

This article originally published on March 29, 2007.

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