03/20/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element According to DOH -Indian River, a required septic tank maintenance program could reduce septic system failures and associated adverse impacts; however, such a program would be costly and difficult to implement. In the future, the focus of the county and the DOH -Indian River should be on providing public education programs on the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of septic tanks. Several features inherent to the operation of septic systems make them prone to contaminating groundwater without any visual indication. For example, septic systems that are undersized or not pumped every 3-5 years can accumulate sludge and scum, resulting in a poorer quality effluent. When high groundwater conditions (within 2 feet from the bottom of the drainfield) exist, additional fill is needed. Once a septic system is installed and buried, these and other operating problems cannot be recognized until the entire system fails and raw (untreated) sewage backs up into the house plumbing or seeps above ground. Thus, a septic system that appears to be functioning properly may, in reality, be providing very poor "treatment". This problem is more likely to occur in areas of higher residential density where parcels are less than % acre, in areas with a high concentration of commercial/industrial use, and areas with construction that predates 1983. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey most of Indian River County's soil has severe limitations for the use of septic systems. Combined with the county's high wet season water table, this creates a high potential for groundwater and surface water contamination problems. Since 1983, for new construction, the DOH has required that the bottom of drainfields be at least 24 inches above the wet season water table . To meet this requirement, typically slightly limited soil may be added to the site creating a mound. Also, a 75 foot separation requirement must be met between wells and/or waterbodies and septic systems.. When parcels platted or recorded after 1972 meet minimum lot size requirements ,and the above conditions, septic system performance is considered adequate for developments within the county. Another issue with septic systems is the possibility of septage effluent from a septic system entering waterbodies in the county. This problem must be examined carefully, especially on the barrier island, in areas near the Indian River Lagoon, in areas near the St. Sebastian River, and in areas adjacent to canals, lakes or wetlands. To summarize, the problems with septic systems are listed below: • Physical limitations existing in Indian River County o A high water table of less than 10 inches as described in the USDA Soil Survey is found in almost all areas of the county, especially during the wet season June through October. Community Development Department Indian River County 30 Atta4went 4