City Council member Bill Gulliford often cautions his colleagues to be wary of “unintended consequences” — effects that weren’t anticipated based on the initial analysis of actions.
When it comes to reducing the number of septic tanks in Duval County, Gulliford might reference “unanticipated benefits” after legislation is filed today to amend the city’s septic tank regulations and provide a plan to remove certain septic tanks and replace them with sewer service from JEA.
During the year-long deliberations of the council Special Committee on the JEA Agreement, in addition to determining how to calculate the utility’s annual contribution to the city budget, Gulliford added to the discussion reducing the usage of septic tanks.
That led to an addition to the contribution agreement that goes into effect Sept.1 — a $15 million one-time contribution from JEA to be matched by the city that creates a $30 million fund for the first phase of a sewer system expansion and septic tank removal program.
In addition, the $66,000 balance in the Septic Tank Superfund will be transferred to the Water/Wastewater System Fund to be created by the ordinance.
The legislation identifies priority areas that will comprise the first phase of the plan. They were selected based on environmental, health and welfare factors such as the percentage of septic tanks versus sewer connections in the neighborhood, the number of septic tank repair permits issued, age of the septic systems and the potential for flooding in the area.
The areas designated as top-tier priorities — Beverly Hills, Biltmore and Christobel — are north and west of the St. Johns River. There are nearly 1,200 septic tanks in the three neighborhoods.
About 65,000 septic tanks are in use in Duval County. Nearly 11,000 are located in areas where sewer service is available from JEA, but only about 40 percent are connected to the system, due to property owners deciding to continue using a septic tank to avoid a monthly sewer bill.
The legislation seeks to encourage participation in the program by establishing a “readiness to serve charge” to motivate property owners throughout the county to connect to municipal service.
About the same amount as the average monthly JEA sewer charge, the proposed fee would be levied upon property owners who decline hook-up and the revenue would be placed into the Water/Wastewater System Fund to help sustain the replacement program.
The program also will have an economic impact, said Paul McElroy, JEA CEO.
“There’s no greater labor-intensive work than sewer and water system expansion,” he said. “We’re talking about jobs, jobs, jobs.”
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