Costly Environmental Mandate Stuns Seminole Officials
County commissioners in Seminole recently received alarming financial estimates regarding a state requirement to replace septic systems with sewer connections near sensitive spring areas. The potential expense for both the county and individual property owners could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
According to county documents, homeowners near the Wekiva River might need to pay at least $75,000 to remove their existing septic tanks and connect to municipal sewer lines. "I would say that a majority of our residents would not be able to afford to pay that, even if they went to the bank and got a loan," Commissioner Jay Zembower stated. "None of us want to do that."
Environmental Protection Versus Financial Burden
While commissioners recognize the importance of safeguarding delicate spring ecosystems from septic system pollution, they question how to manage the substantial financial implications. "I think we all agree that we all want to clean up the environment," Zembower commented. "We want to be kind to the environment. We want to get the nutrients out of the water... But that comes with a cost."
In the Sweetwater Club neighborhood, developed in the mid-1980s near Wekiwa Springs State Park, all 176 homes have septic tanks that fall under the state mandate. Resident Bahram Yusefzadeh expressed support for environmental improvements but noted financial concerns. "I would love to be connected to a sewer system. It's something that should be done, especially because of the environmental concerns," he said. "But I don't believe the average middle-class community could afford something like that. I don't think you're going to get much support from most neighborhoods."
State Mandate and Local Implementation Challenges
A 2016 Florida law designed to protect natural springs requires Seminole County to connect septic systems to sewer lines in designated areas of the Wekiwa Springs Basin and Gemini Springs Basin by 2038. Alternatively, homeowners can upgrade to modern septic systems that release fewer nutrients.
Commissioners criticized state legislators for creating the mandate without providing adequate funding. "We can't impose this on our citizens," Commissioner Lee Constantine declared. "It's too big. It's too large. So at some point, the Legislature is going to have to bite the bullet and do what's right. The state is going to have to decide how to pay for it."
Of Seminole's approximately 26,000 septic tanks, 2,859 in the Wekiwa Springs Basin and 1,109 in the Gemini Springs Basin must comply with the regulation. Septic systems in rural areas and eastern parts of the county are exempt as they fall outside the designated spring basins.
Financial Realities and Potential Solutions
Converting the 2,859 septic tanks in the Wekiva River Basin area to sewer connections could cost between $218 million and $304 million, according to county estimates. Replacing older tanks with advanced septic systems would range from $57 million to $114 million.
While Seminole recently received a $2.2 million federal grant for conversion efforts, this represents only a fraction of the total needed. Advanced septic systems, costing $20,000 to $40,000 to install, reduce harmful pollutants by only about 65%.
County officials are exploring various funding approaches, including requiring homeowners to cover costs, establishing special assessment districts, or having utility companies finance conversions with additional monthly fees. Currently, Seminole has $20 million available from state and federal grants.
Jay Exum, a board member of Friends of the Wekiva, noted that while the state allocated about $50 million this year for springs cleanup including septic tank elimination, this amount is insufficient given Florida's millions of septic systems. "Absolutely, the state should do more" to assist counties and homeowners, he emphasized. "In order for it to be effective, it's going to require more money."
Moving Forward with Caution
Commissioners have directed county staff to investigate launching a pilot program in a Wekiva River neighborhood with septic systems, requiring majority resident participation. "We'll learn a lot more from a pilot program and how to proceed," Zembower noted.
Commissioner Amy Lockhart expressed hope that state legislators might modify the mandate before the 2038 deadline. "Maybe next session, someone [in the Legislature] will have a stroke of reasonableness and we'll see this get modified," she said. "So I'm not in any huge rush in spending all these funds and giving all our citizens heart attacks."
