House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2190 Charlotte County Utilities Wastewater Expansion (Phase II)
Requester:	Richard Howell		Organization:		Charlotte County Utilities
Project Title:	Charlotte County Utilities Wastewater Expansion (Phase II)		Date Submitted:		01/28/2000 4:23:32 PM
District Member:	David Bitner		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Charlotte
Recipient:	Charlotte County Utilities		Contact:		Michael Saunders
	18500 Murdock Circle		Contact Phone:		(941) 625-4164
	Port Charlotte 33948-1068
Project Description:
Charlotte Harbor and its watershed comprises 4,500 square miles along Florida's southwest coast. In 1995, this watershed was nominated to the National Estuary Program as "Florida's last, best chance to manage the estuarine and watershed impacts of an exponentially growing human population." In 1997 and 1998, the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, through the joint work of its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) developed quantifiable objectives and an initial list of priority action plans for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the natural resources within the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (NEP) study area. This effort was summarized in the "Framework for Action" publication in December 1998. The "Framework for Action" specifically addresses the density of septic tank systems and the provision of central sewer with the Charlotte Harbor NEP. It recommends that "central sewer or other alternative technology be provided to residential areas (parcels of land one acre or less) and all commercial and industrial development within 900 feet of waters (canals, streams, and lakes) within the Charlotte Harbor NEP study area. The recommended strategy includes the development and implementation of plans to provide central sewer to highly developed areas. The 1988 Charlotte County Comprehensive Plan, at the request of the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), contained infrastructure elements and strategies for the provision of sanitary sewer service. Since 1990, Charlotte County has endeavored to reduce the number of septic systems in operation through the provision of centralized sanitary sewer service. Charlotte County has currently more than 40,000 existing septic systems in operation. Charlotte County also has approximately 200,000 existing platted lots. Each lot is typically 1/4 acre in size. Charlotte County Utilities is currently expanding sanitary sewer service into developed areas. The current program involves 4,700 properties. With additional funding the current program can be expanded and accelerated to include an additional 9,000 existing households. The project is intended to address the recommendations of both the Charlotte Harbor NEP and the DCA.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
A central sewer expansion was proposed for Charlotte County in 1993. It eventually failed due to public revolt arising from projected property assessments associated with the construction cost. The current central sewer expansion program has provided centralized sewer to existing households without assessments and at no more than a standard connection fee. Given the current pace of the program, approximately 7% of currently operating septic tanks will be removed from service over a five year period. Although substantial, it is still unclear if this ultimately will meet the goals of the DCA and the Charlotte Harbor NEP. In combination with the existing program, this proposed program will eliminate more than 25% of the existing septic systems in the Port Charlotte area within five years. Additionally, this would be done while minimizing the financial impact to households connected to centralized sewer. Most importantly, the enhancement of water quality within Charlotte Harbor would be achieved.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Groundwater contaminated by septic tank effluent may contain high levels of nutrients and enteric microorganisms. In the case of Charlotte County, water quality studies have shown contamination associated with septic tanks pollution. Historically studies have indicated that recorded pollution levels have a correlation with the number of septic systems. Therefore, with the reduction of active septic systems in Charlotte County water quality in Charlotte Harbor will be inversely improved. Additionally, the long-term threat for future damage within Charlotte Harbor will be greatly reduced.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$1,380,000
Total cost of the project:		$16,832,500

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$460,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Yes
	Amount:	$16,372,500
	Purpose for future year funding:			YesNon-recurring Construction
	Will this be an annual request?				Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	TAC/CAC "Framework for Action" publication December 1998
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners
	Meeting Date:	07/29/1998