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Apri14, 2000
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor
and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jim Hans
rty Manage
SUBJECT: Follow-up items
The following are responses to questions and requests for additional information that
were made in recent City Commission meetings.
~. Renaming Section H
At the last City Commission meeting on March 27, the Commission asked that the subject
of renaming Section H be brought back at the next meeting along with a clear definition
of what area is included in "Section H." Attached for your review is a drawing showing
the limits of Section H. It is bordered by Levy Road on the north, Mayport Road on the
east, Atlantic Boulevard on the south, and the Intercoastal Marsh on the west. Also
attached is a revised list of names submitted. Since the last Commission meeting, five
surveys have been returned to the City with the suggestion of the name "Marsh Oaks."
Grant from Cultural Arts Board ;
At the last meeting, I incorrectly reported that a grant had_been received by the Cultural
Arts Board from the Jacksonville Community Foundation to put on programs at
elementary schools. That was incorrect. The grant application had been submitted, but no
formal approval has been issued by the Jacksonville Community Foundation as yet.
Septic Ordinance and Policies;
Several members of the staff are preparing various portions of the policies and procedures
needed to implement the City Commission's direction on the elimination of septic tanks
in Atlantic Beach as described at the last Commission meeting. Neither the ordinance to
amend the City Code or the related policies will be ready for Commission review at the
~ April 10 Commission meeting. Instead, our target is to have this available for the
Commission meeting on Apri124.
Septic tanks;
Attached for your information is a copy of the notes made by Donna Kaluzniak from a
panel discussion held on March 28 in Jacksonville entitled "Septic Tank and Centralized
Sewer Service." Representatives of JEA, the City of Jacksonville, the Duval County
Health Department, and others were on this panel.
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Suggested Names for Section A
Ayril 10, 2000
Sug ested Names: Number of Suggestions:
Atlantic Beach 1
Atlantic Beach _West 2
Buccaneer Landing 1 '
Edge Mazsh 1
Edgewater 1
Fiddler's Cove 1
Floral Mazsh 1
Gladeside 1
~~ Heron's Walk 1
Mazsh Bank 1
Mazsh Edge 1
Mazsh Oaks 5
Mazsh Valley 1
Mayfair 1 -
Oak Breeze 1
Pablo Pines 1
The Gateway Community 1
Tide Views _ ,
1
~ Tideviews 1
West Atlantic Beach 1
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FLORIDA WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION
PANEL DISCUSSION: SEPTIC TANKS AND CENTRALIZED SEWER SERVICE
Meeting Notes March 28, 2000 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Moderator: Tom Waldeck, P.E., CH2M Hill
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Panel Members: Dr. James Chansler, P.E., Executive Vice President, JEA
Mr. Sam Mousa, P.E., Deputy Chief of Staff, City of Jacksonville
Dr. Jeffery Goldhagen, M.D., Director, Duval County Health Department
Mr. Jim Manning, P.E. Chief Air/Water Quality, Regulatory &
Environmental Services Department
Four questions were directed to the specific panel members. The questions, and a summary of the
answers are as follows:
What is the regulatory basis for the septic tank issue? (Jim Manning) Regulations include City
of Jacksonville Code, Chapters 360, 362, 366, and 751. Environmental Protection Board Rule 3
and Rule 8 (for Duval County). Septic tanks in urban areas can result in high fecal coliform
concentrations in nearby waterways. For example, in the Murray Hill area, the fecal coliform
level in nearby McCoy's Creek is 9,364 colonies per 100 milliliter sample. The regulatory limit is
800 colonies. Deer Creek, near the Talleyrand area,'has a fecal coliform level of 4,354 colonies.
(Dr. Goldhagen) Other regulations covering the septic tank issue are Florida Statutes, Chapters
381 and 386, and 64E-6. There is some vagueness in determining the authority to require central
sewer service. In order to determine whether a true health threat exists, the Health Department
has developed an eight point matrix to use as a scoring mechanism. An area suspected of posing
a health threat is:
• scored, using the matrix
• data is evaluated, including fecal coliform counts in nearby waterways
• epidemiology of the area is investigated
• nearby water bodies are monitored and linked to potential problem areas
Dr. Goldhagen introduced Dr. Hilliard of the Health Department, who is developing a toxicology
program for the Department.
What are the environmental impacts of septic tanks vs centralized sewer systems? (Dr.
Goldhagen) The eight point matrix provides a means to determine the potential for health hazards
arising from septic tanks in certain areas. The matrix analyzes:
• Area soil types
• Proximity to water bodies _
• Colifonm levels in nearby water bodies
• The number of nearby potable wells or water systems
~' Area flooding conditions
• Water table
• The number of septic tank repair permits
• Average lot sizes
Using this matrix to develop a point system, an area can be objectively designated as a "sanitary
nuisance." Each item receives a score ranging from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest risk
~to public health. Any area with a total score of 56 or higher is considered a "sanitary nuisance
area.." This helps with the ability to regulate problem areas.
(Jim Manning) The ability to manage and control septic tank discharges is very difficult compared
to managing discharges from sanitary sewer systems. The Regulatory and Environmental
Services Department (RESD) is studying the environmental impacts of septic tanks. Anew
Environmental Protection Board (EPB) study has developed a test that differentiates human fecal
coliform from wildlife, which helps to identify pollution caused by septic systems.
What are some of the fttnding sources and opportunities involved in this issue? (James
Chansler) First we must identify areas that need help, and prioritize them. The hard part is finding
funds to solve the problems. The traditional methods of funding sewer systems are:
• Install sewer systems during new development
• Retrofit with federal grant money (not available now)
• Residents pay for sewer service
The rrionthly utility bill pays only for operation and maintenance costs inmost cases. The average
monthly JEA bill for the low end user (sewer) is $26.60 per month. The nationwide average cost
to install sewer systems is $11,000 per connection. JEA is using some grant funds from the St.
Johns River Water Management District to help install sewer in unsewered areas. There maybe
funds available through the American Heritage Rivers Program for neighborhoods designated as
"sanitary nuisances" using the 8-point matrix..
(Sam Mousa) JEA and the City of Jacksonville have built a good partnership. The City of
Jacksonville had funds set aside as a "Septic Tank Superfund." They can provide this money to
JEA to assist with the cost of providing sewer service in "sanitary nuisance" neighborhoods.
What is the political dilemma regarding the septic tank issue? (Sam Mousa) This is the
toughest part of the septic tank issue. Many residents are under the impression that during
consolidation of the City of Jacksonville, a promise was made that City water and sewer would be
provided to every home. Although that promise is not found anywhere in writing, many people
believe the City should provide the capital costs for the installation of and connection to City
water and sewer.
In reality, most homeowners pay for the installation of and connection to City services. Even in
new developments, property developers add the cost of installing water and sewer to the price of
r a home, and include the cost of their profit.
In the City of Jacksonville, taxpayers pay for the installation of sewers in "sanitary nuisance"
~ areas. In areas not designated as "sanitary nuisances," homeowners are responsible for the cost of
sewers.
(Dr. Goldhagen) Another political dilemma occurs with trying to enforce connection to existing
sanitary sewer service. It is very unclear who has jurisdiction and authority to enforce the
requirement to connect. The Health Department's only means of enforcement, at this time, is to
deny septic tank repair permits in areas where there is sewer availability.
The problem of the low income and fixed income homeowners also needs to be addressed. The
sewer connection fee and monthly sewer bill is a hardship for some of these citizens.
(Sam Mousa) An example of the political impact involves an area near Hipps Road. There was
some concern regarding water wells in the area. Many angry citizens demanded the City provide
municipal water service to the area. The City Commission agreed to spend City funds to provide
this service, and many years later ten percent of the residents have not yet connected to the
system.
(James Chansler) At this time, JEA requires connection to an existing sewer system whenever a
property is sold, or in the event of a septic tank failure. In order to encourage connection to the
sewer system, JEA offers a 10-year loan to pay for the sewer connection, including abandonment
of the septic tank. JEA has also committed to providing regional sewer lines in every area.
Audience Questions and Comments Summary_
What is the possibility of raising setiver rates to cover the cost of installing new server lines?
(Sam Mousa) This would require existing customers to cover the cost of providing services for
new customers.
Wliat about preventing the installation of any nc~v septic tanks? (Sam Mousa) There is a rule
in the Comprehensive Plan regarding the installation of new septic tanks. Septic tanks may still be
installed, but specific criteria have to be met regarding lot size, drainability, distance from water
lines or wells, etc.
What defines failing septic tanks? (Jim Manning) In Jacksonville, areas of septic tanl: failure are
identified using the 8-point matrix to designate "sanitary nuisance areas."
For areas defined as "sanitary nuisances,"fvhat is the time frame between this designation:
and the installation of sanitar}+ server systems? (James Chansler) Approximately 2 years to the
start of construction.
Hofv many septic tanks are there in Duval County? (James Chansler) Approximately 100,000.
Does ,TEA allmv hvo residents to connect to the same lateral? (James Chansler) This is not
allowed, per code. Problems which could arise include property disputes, lateral pipe size,
maintenance cost sharing. Residents could potentially share a trench, but there maybe future
problems with property ownership and shared responsibilities.
What about alternatives to the installation of gravity server service, such as low pressure sewer
systems? (James Chansler) JEA is currently perfonming an evaluation of low pressure systems,
but this evaluation is not yet complete.
Will, the City of Jacksonville install sewer service in areas that are not served by JEA? (Sam
Mousa) If the area is designated as a "sanitary nuisance," the City will install sewer service,
provided the area is not privately owned. If the "sanitary nuisance" area is within a private
utility's service area, the cooperation of that utility would be needed.
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