Some homeowners in Orange County neighborhoods near Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs pooh-pooh the science blaming their septic systems for pollution in the water, but they’re ready to switch to sewers.
For instance, Andrea Samson, editor of The Sludge Report, a blog about the controversy, doubts that septic systems are at fault but she’s now in favor of installing sewers in her neighborhood.
For homeowners like her, expensive sewers are a cheaper fix for what the state believes is the major source of chemical pollutants impairing the springs and feeding gooey green algae blooms.
“You can doubt the science until the cows come home but it’s a moot point,” said Samson, who bought her home in Bent Oak in 1989. “The law’s the law.”
Legislators enacted the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act in 2016 that mandated the state craft a long-term road map to restore the water quality in Florida’s fragile springs.
In Central Florida, the planned implementation of a Basin Management Action Plan aims to reduce spring pollution blamed on septic runoff and fertilizers.
More than 50,000 septic systems in Lake, Orange and Seminole counties are blamed for the nitrogen and phosphorous threatening the springs and the Wekiva River.
Though not a cure-all, installing sewers in neighborhoods with septic systems “would go a long way” to aiding the ailing springs, said Nancy Prine, vice president of Friends of the Wekiva River.
With hoped-for state and county assistance, homeowners may not have to foot more than 10% of the $100 million cost of installing a system to treat and safely dispose of sewage.
“It’s probably as good as it can get,” said Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, whose district includes neighborhoods in Apopka and the springs.
Since she was elected a year ago, Moore has tried to rally neighborhoods closest to the springs to endorse sewers, believing community support is key to securing aid for conversion projects.
Those 19 neighborhoods are part of what Moore calls the Wekiva Alliance Area, which account for about 2,500 homes on septic systems.
Located north of State Road 436, south of Welch Road and east of Thompson Road, the neighborhoods depend on septic systems to treat and dispose of waste that sewers would flush away.
On Tuesday, Moore is set to host the last of three community-wide meetings and conduct a straw poll about sewers. She said she thinks most homeowners now favor them
“It can be a win-win, and that’s what you want,” she said. “Good for the springs, good for homeowners.”
The hour-long meeting, which starts at 6:30, will held at Clay Springs Elementary School, 555 N. Wekiwa Springs Road.
Moore said Orange County is pledging to share the sewer construction bill and help find grants to defray the costs.
“We’re cobbling together support,” she said.
Joe Detrio, president of the Sweetwater West homeowners association, said sewers are a “no brainer” when matched against pricey upgraded septic systems, which might not solve the problem.
He said about 80% of his neighbors have pledged support for sewers.
State studies say the springs are at risk because of high concentrations of nitrate, which authorities blame on overuse of chemical fertilizers and improper disposal of human waste.
Nitrogen is one of the ingredients in fertilizer used to make lawns green and grow crops. Some seeps into the groundwater. Nitrogen also is in human waste.
Experts contend it creeps from septic tanks through the soil, into the aquifer and out through a spring.
State authorities estimate 1 million pounds of nitrogen a year ends up in the groundwater in a tear-drop shaped area of 183,000 Central Florida acres that includes the treasure springs.
In a Facebook post last month, Moore reminded residents of “an additional hurdle. We must successfully apply and receive state funding…”
“It is my hope and prayer these state sources will total 65% of the total costs,” she wrote.
If the plan plays out as she hopes, homeowners will have the option of paying their 10% share all at one time or financing the costs over 10 years on their annual property tax bill.
shudak@orlandosentinel.com or 407-650-6361
