Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems are now what we call the common septic tank. Which as we know are a problem in Florida because they put heavy loads of nutrients in our groundwater, rivers and springs.
Alachua County’s Stacie Greco from the Environmental Protection Department who consistently puts together an informative and pertinent program, did it again. We had speakers from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP,) the Florida Department of Health (FDH), and the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association (FOWA).
This association is a group engaged in the manufacturing, installation, repair or maintenance of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, headquartered in Lake Mary.
An on-going project studying septics near the Wekiva River was described by Rick Hicks of the FDEP. An interesting note from here was that their study indicated that pumping of healthy septics does not do much to lower nitrates.
Dr. Xueqing Gao from the FDH spoke on remediation plan development of onsite sewage treatment systems, and recent regulations. His presentation had interesting maps showing nitrate concentrations.
Roxanne Groover from the FOWA presented a PowerPoint explanation of the Best Management Action Plan process and how it relates to septics. She also gave a rundown on the various systems and tools available in the industry.
The session ended with a panel discussion after lunch.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
