Major changes to Florida septic and drainfield systems on the horizon

Tomorrow morning at 9am at the Orlando Airport Mariott, the Florida Surgeon General's office is having a public hearing regarding the Wekiva Septic Tank issue.  A few of us got briefed on this at the ORRA view from the trenches luncheon this afternoon.  The State of Florida is talking about increasing the cost of a septic and drainfield system to the price of $15,000 to $30,000 for anyone replacing, doing a repair to an existing system, or selling a property.

    The Wekiva River Basin region covers a huge area including the western half of Orange, western half of Seminole, and Northeastern Lake County including areas like Ocoee, Winter Garden, Pine Hills, Windermere, Apopka, College Park, Orlando west of I-4, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis. Additionally the State is looking at implementing this same septic system in 29 other areas of Florida near river systems. 

This was an emergency meeting without much notice being provided, so sorry for the short notice being provided. If you can't attend the meeting (which I can't myself), consider calling or emailing the governor, your state representative and senator, and the Florida Surgeon General on this issue.  The more people the better.

You can find more info on this critical subject at the State of Florida Department of Health's website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/ostds/wekiva/wekiva.htm  and on the Orlando Regional Realtor Association's website: http://www.orlrealtor.com/Main/Main.asp?CategoryID=21&SubCategoryID=905&

Surgeon general: Gerald_Briggs@doh.state.fl.us and Dale_Holcomb@doh.state.fl.us   Phone#: 850 245 4070

Your state representative: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

Your state senator: http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Mode=Find%20Your%20Legislators&Submenu=3&Tab=legislators&CFID=113271414&CFTOKEN=68326640

Governor Crist: http://www.flgov.com/contact_governor

Update 2/20/09: A State advisory panel temporarily postponed the implementation of this rule yesterday, however the Florida Department of Health has the final say.  So please continue to contact your governing officials and ask them to put a halt to this.

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Rob Arnold - Your full service and investor friendly Realtor ® in Orlando and Central Florida.

ABR, CPL, CRB, CSP, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Notary Public

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