Objective 9.2.4. - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Provide for the limited use of septic tanks and interim wastewater treatment plants only in areas where sanitary sewer extension is not reasonably feasible. (See also Policy 9.2.1.2)

Policy 9.2.4.1. Require that any on-site sewage disposal system be located and constructed in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

Policy 9.2.4.2. Require that all new septic tanks and associated drain fields located within the Watershed Overlay (WO) District shall be located no closer than two hundred (200) feet to any jurisdictional wetland (including in flowing watercourses).

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Review of agency approved wetland survey, or other appropriate delineation, and preliminary site plan prior to issuance of septic tank permit by the Florida Department of Health - to ensure compliance with this policy.

(b)

Coordination with the Florida Department of Health—Manatee County.

Policy 9.2.4.3. Require that all septic tank drain fields be elevated no less than thirty-six (36) inches above the seasonal high water table (measured from the bottom of the drain field) within the Watershed Overlay (WO) Districts.

Implementation Mechanism:

(a)

Review, by the Florida Department of Health—Manatee County, of all septic tank permit requests located within the Watershed Overlay (WO) Districts.

Policy 9.2.4.4. Prohibit the development of any interim wastewater treatment plants for any project located within the wastewater treatment collection areas as shown on Potable Water/Waste Water Service Area map, unless the project is allowed to not connect to the public sanitary sewer system (see Policy 9.2.1.2). Analysis of the following factors shall be included in the approval of any interim wastewater treatment plants:

• Development is not required to connect (see Policy 9.2.1.2),

• Analysis of impacts from individual on site systems, versus an interim treatment plant,

• Level of treatment proposed,

• Possible connection to other municipal wastewater treatment systems,

• Location within or adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas,

• Location within areas subject to flooding, and

• Consideration of the appropriate timing and type of proposed development.

See also policies under Objective 2.1.2.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Review of development proposals to implement this policy.

(b)

Maintain Land Development Code provisions to implement this policy.

Policy 9.2.4.5. Where connection to the Manatee County public wastewater system is not required under Policy 9.2.1.2, any project within the Wastewater Treatment Collection Areas utilizing septic tanks or an interim wastewater treatment plant shall be constructed with dry-lines so as to readily permit connection to the public sanitary sewer system for all residential development of one (1) du/gc and higher, and all nonresidential development.

Dry-lines shall be extended to the appropriate project boundary or boundaries. The interim wastewater treatment plant and associated collection system shall be installed so as to readily provide for a connection to the Manatee County sanitary sewer system.

Developed portions of a project shall connect within two (2) years of the reasonable availability of a central system sanitary sewer line which has adequate capacity to accommodate wastewater flows.

When the requirement for dry lines are not appropriate due to unforeseeable engineering conditions, administrative approval is required to ensure compliance with the intent of this policy.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Coordination between County departments to ensure policy compliance.

(b)

Revision of the Land Development Code and other regulatory documents as appropriate to implement this policy.

Policy 9.2.4.6. Request for connection to Manatee County's central sewer system may be denied based solely on the developments location outside the Future Development Area Boundary.

Policy 9.2.4.7. Continue review and analysis of the wastewater treatment policies and procedures for effectiveness.

Implementation Mechanism(s):

(a)

Continue modernization of data collection and mapping.

(b)

Coordination with the Florida Department of Health—Manatee County in conducting review.

(Ord. No. 16-11, § 3, 3-3-16; Ord. No. 18-04 , § 11(Exh. I), 8-23-18)