Septic Tank Repeal Bill Moves Forward in Senate Committee

A bill that would repeal a law passed last year in the state Legislature requiring the Department of Health to inspect septic tanks once every five years passed through the Senate Health Regulation Committee Tuesday.

Senators in support of Senate Bill 168 said the costs of the program would be too heavy a burden on homeowners and businesses in harsh economic times, but admitted some measures need to be taken to ensure failing septic tanks don't pollute Florida's waters.

"In my district there are 205,000 families and small businesses on septic tanks. Under the lowest cost, about $200 for an inspection, that means that people in my Senate district will pay $40 million in fees if we don't repeal this law," said Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who is co-sponsoring SB 168.

The bill would repeal last year's SB 550, which allowed the DOH to inspect septic tanks and issue fees of $500 per day for those who did not get inspections. The DOH inspection program was supposed to begin in January, but legislators moved back the effective date for the program to July during a special session in November last year.

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