Septic-to-sewer projects face challenges

OKEECHOBEE – Septic-to-sewer projects are a priority for many South Florida communities, due to concerns that nutrients from septic tanks feed harmful algal blooms in nearby waterways.

“Okeechobee County is doing well. We’re doing a lot of septic-to-sewer projects and we’re proud of that,” said Okeechobee County Commissioner David Hazellief, at the June 2 meeting of the Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie and the Caloosahatchee Estuaries and the Lake Worth Lagoon in the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse.

Charlotte County is also keeping their septic-to-sewer plan going, according to Charlotte County Commissioner Ken Doherty. He said they are running into problems with the expected cost, with bids coming in about 40% higher than the original estimate. County officials had planned to let property owners pay their portion of the cost through assessments over a 20-year period, but may expand that to 30 years to keep the annual assessment lower.