Indian River County O it S T t t dOnsite Sewage Treatment and
Disposal Systems (Septic)Disposal Systems (Septic)
Cheryl L. Dunn, R.S.Environmental Manager
Florida Department of HealthFlorida Department of HealthIndian River County
Onsite Sewage Disposal System
Indian River County DataIndian River County Data• Record of 36,864 new septic system
permits• 17,554 or 48% of the 36,864 were , ,
permitted prior to 1983• City of Vero Beach estimates 900 septicCity of Vero Beach estimates 900 septic
systems on the barrier island• 747 or 83% of the 900 were permitted• 747 or 83% of the 900 were permitted
prior to 1983.
PRE - 1983 CONSTRUCTED HOME
25 te SO f•o.t
< )
.. u
POST -1983 CONSTRUCTED HOME
50 to 75 feet
24 inches
1983 Rule Changes1983 Rule Changes• 1983 and newer standards require 24 inch q
separation from the water table and at least a 50 feet setback from surface water for new constructionconstruction
• Septic systems installed prior to 1983 may have a 6 inch or less separation form the water tablea 6 inch or less separation form the water table and may be only 25 feet or closer to surface water such as the lagoon.
• Code allows for septic systems to be repaired to past standards and setback not meeting new system standardssystem standards.
“Grandfathered” SetbackGrandfathered Setback Requirements for Repairs
Only 25 feet from Indian River and irrigation wells
Septic Failure (Repairs)p ( p )An average new residential septic system in Florida septic system in Florida functions properly for 18 years with maintenance.Contributing factors of a failure:• Roots• Storm water• Damage (Vehicles)• Misuse• Misuse• Overuse (Conserve)• Lack of maintenance• Age
Indian River OSTDS Construction Data
1600
1200
1400
800
1000
400
600
0
200
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
New System Permits Repair Permits
Type #1 Septic FailureType #1 Septic Failure
You know about it. Very You know about it. Very inconvenient and the homeowner usually applies for ya repair permit.
• Slow flushing toilets or draining plumbing
• Sewage backs-up into the house
• Disagreeable inside odors
Type #2 Septic Failure
Y k b t it b t d
Type #2 Septic Failure
You know about it, but so do your neighbors. Typically, after a complaint is filed against the p ghomeowner, they apply for a repair permit. (If reported or noticed)
• Surface flow of wastewater• Excess liquid on top of q p
drainfield area (blowing out)• Visible safety issue• Disagreeable outside odor
Type #3 Septic Failureyp pFailure is not obvious, green grass with
b k d S ti t no back-ups or odor. Septic system may be too close to surface water or ground water for sewage effluent to be ground water for sewage effluent to be treated properly.
C i Concern is ground water
and surface water contamination
SB 550 and HB 1263SB 550 and HB 1263
5 l ti f ti t• 5 year evaluations of septic system (Voluntary)
• Importance of maintenance• Redefines septic failurep• First magnitude springs • Performance Based Systems• Performance Based Systems• Passive Nitrogen Reduction Study 2015
EHD Data 1998 - Present
Factors Affecting Proper Function of an Onsite Wastewater Disposal Wastewater Disposal
Systemy• Type of soil• Separation to ground waterSeparation to ground water• Separation to surface water
A f th t t• Age of the structure• Systems not built to current new system
standards
Drainfield Sizing and ElevationDrainfield Elevation Determination:
g
Soil Type
Texture
Wet Season Water Table (WSWT)
PermeabilityPermeability
Onsite Waste Water Out of Sight and MindOut of Sight and Mind
Not enough farea for a
system to serve a 4 bedroom residence.
What Can You Do?What Can You Do?
• Know the location of septic system andKnow the location of septic system and protect it (trees/shrubs, vehicles, structures excess water)structures, excess water)
• Pump tank every 3-5 years (tune-up)Thi k b t h t tti d th• Think about what you are putting down the drain or flushing down the toilet ( h i l di i )(chemicals, medicines, grease)
• Practice water conservation
Inventory and Data AccuracyInventory and Data Accuracy
Wastewater Service Area
25,773 Sewer Customers
44,485 Water Customers
More InformationMore Information• Indian River CountyIndian River County
Health Department 772-794-440794 440
• myfloridaeh.com• IRCHD EH@doh state fl us• [email protected]
