Gulf Breeze Septic to Sewer Conversion
Implementing Organization
State of Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$12,830,000
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Water Quality Restoration and Maintenance
Targeted Resources
Wetlands/Marshes/Estuaries
Project Description
This project will be implemented in coordination with the City of Gulf Breeze and the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Program. The project will improve water quality in Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay by reducing nutrient loading from antiquated septic systems by connecting homes that are served by septic systems to an advanced wastewater treatment plant (i.e., higher than the typical secondary treatment level provided by most facilities). Specifically, the project will: • Decommission residential septic tanks and connect homes to the municipal sewage system. About 1,030 residences across 11 proposed septic to sewer areas will be converted from septic to gravity sewer systems or low-pressure grinder pumps and piped into the City’s centralized sewage transmission and connection system. Effluent will be added to the City’s reclamation facility at Tiger Point. • Monitor waterways prior to and following the septic tank conversion. Gulf Breeze is a peninsular community with a high water table, making the area sensitive to leakages from failing septic systems. Untreated wastewater discharges disease-causing pathogens and nitrates into coastal waters, causing potential health concerns for the local populace (if close to a drinking water well), increased algal growth, and lowered dissolved oxygen levels. This, in turn, can endanger shellfish beds. On-site costs for septic tank decommissioning and connections to the sewer system will be covered (through this project or by the City of Gulf Breeze) for all residences that opt in prior to commencement of construction activities. After any construction activities are complete, residence...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Pearce Barrett(850) 245-2106
pearce.barrett@floridadep.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/