REPORT ON RANGE OF COSTS TO IMPLEMENT A MANDATORY STATEWIDE 

5-YEAR SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROGRAM 

October 1, 2008 

Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. 

Surgeon General, Department of Health 

Charlie Crist

Governor
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SECTION 1.0 

INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1

SECTION 2.0 

MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FLORIDA’S ONSITE SYSTEMS.................2 

SECTION 2.1 

COUNTY MANDATED SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROGRAMS ...............................3

SECTION 3.0 

MANDATORY SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROGRAM COSTS..................................4 

SECTION 3.1 

DOH ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES................................................................................4 

SECTION 3.2 

PRIVATE SECTOR COSTS .............................................................................................6

SECTION 3.3 

MANDATORY 5-YEAR SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE...........................10 

SECTION 4.0 

CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................10 
Report on Range of Costs to Implement a Mandatory Statewide 

5-Year Septic Tank Inspection Program 

By 

Gerald R. Briggs, M.S. 

Ed Barranco, M.P.H., C.E.H.P., C.P.M, 

David Hammonds, C.E.H.P. 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is submitted in compliance with Line Item 1682, House Bill 5001, General 

Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. The bill tasks the Department of Health to 

“submit a report to the Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate and the 

Speaker of the House of Representatives by no later than October 1, 2008, which identifies the 

range of costs to implement a mandatory statewide 5-year septic tank inspection program to be 

phased in over 10 years pursuant to the Department of Health’s procedure for voluntary 

inspection, including use of fees to offset costs.” 

Less than 1 percent of Florida’s 2.3 million onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems are 

actively managed under operating permits and maintenance agreements. The balance of 

Florida’s 2.3 million systems are generally only serviced when the system fails. Over half of 

these systems are 30 years old and were installed under standards less stringent than current 

standards. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strongly encourages adoption of programs, which 

include a comprehensive management and maintenance component to ensure onsite systems 

are performing as designed and to minimize the potential adverse human or environmental 

health impacts from the continued use of under designed or failing systems. As requested, this 

report provides a range of costs to implement a mandatory statewide management and 

maintenance or septic tank inspection program. Cost ranges are given for department and the 

private sector, both in terms of administrative and onsite system construction costs. 

Assumption was made that the program could be implemented through the department’s 

existing system repair and modification programs and during real estate transactions. At the 

end of a 10 year implementation cycle, all 2.3 million systems would have been inspected and 

mechanisms would be in place to annually inspect 460,000 systems. The department’s cost 

would be fully funded through application and permitting fees, currently $112.00. No general 

revenue funding would be required. Consideration could be given to adding a surcharge to 

these fees to fund a grant or loan program for low income families. System evaluation and tank 

pump out would be done by licensed septic tank contractors or plumbers at a current average 

cost of $500. The average repair cost is estimated to range from $1,988 to $4,088 with an 

average cost of $3,038 for a standard gravity system. It is estimated that 9.5 percent of 

systems inspected would need repair permits during the initial implementation cycle. After 

implementation, it is expected that the number of failures would be significantly reduced and the 

life span of onsite systems significantly increased. 
 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 

This report is submitted in compliance with Line Item 1682, House Bill 5001, General 

Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. The bill tasks the Department of Health to 

“submit a report to the Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate and the 

Speaker of the House of Representatives by no later than October 1, 2008, which identifies the 

range of costs to implement a mandatory statewide 5-year septic tank inspection program to be 

phased in over 10 years pursuant to the Department of Health’s procedure for voluntary 

inspection, including use of fees to offset costs.” 

In Florida, 2.3 million onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS or onsite 

systems) are in use statewide, serving approximately 31% of the population. More than half of 

Florida’s OSTDS are over 30 years old and were installed under standards less stringent than 

current standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded in its 1997 

Report to Congress that “adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a costeffective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in 

less densely populated areas.” In Florida, development is dependent on OSTDS due to the cost 

and time frames to install central sewer. In rural areas and low-density developments central 

sewer is not cost effective. Less than one percent of Florida systems are actively managed. 

The remainder generally only receive maintenance when they fail, often leading to costly repairs 

that could have been avoided with routine tank pump outs and service. 

To promote onsite system management and maintenance programs, the U.S. EPA developed 

the Voluntary National Guidelines for Managing Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) 

Wastewater Treatment Systems. In its guidelines, the EPA recognizes several benefits to the 

implementation of effective onsite system management and maintenance programs. The EPA 

concluded that “These systems will play an even greater role in the future because they are 

often more affordable than conventional centralized sewage treatment plants and can be 

designed to perform under a variety of specific site conditions.” Among the benefits, EPA listed: 

• Protection of property values - Well-managed, properly designed onsite or 

cluster systems can provide sewage treatment equivalent to a centralized 

plant, often at a lower cost. 

• Water conservation - Decentralized systems can help recharge 

groundwater aquifers and maintain dry season flow in streams. 

• Preservation of the tax base - Decentralized systems can be installed on 

an as-needed basis, thus avoiding the large upfront capital costs of 

centralized sewage treatment plants. 

• Life-cycle cost savings - Proper management can result in lower 

replacement and repair costs, increased property values, enhanced 

economic development, and improved quality of life. 

• Effective planning - Decentralized systems provide flexible wastewater 

options and help achieve land use objectives. 

In its guidelines, the EPA suggested five management and maintenance models or 

recommendations; these are the Homeowner Awareness, the Maintenance Contract, the 

Operating Permit, the Responsible Entity, and the Responsible Management Entity (RME) 

Ownership Models. Florida has implemented some aspects of the first three but does not have 

a mandatory maintenance and management program for the vast majority of its onsite systems. 
2

In Florida, management and maintenance programs have been implemented to ensure 

upgrades and infrastructure improvements in the areas of publicly owned wastewater collection 

and treatment facilities, stormwater management projects, combined sewer overflow control 

facilities, and other non-point source pollution control projects. Florida would greatly benefit 

from the implementation of a comprehensive management and maintenance or mandatory 

septic tank inspection program to ensure onsite systems are performing as designed and to 

minimize the potential adverse human or environmental health effects from the continued use of 

illegal or failing onsite systems or onsite systems located in environmentally sensitive areas. 

As requested, this report provides a range of costs to implement a mandatory statewide 

management and maintenance or septic tank inspection program. Cost ranges are given for 

department and the private sector, both in terms of administrative and onsite system 

construction costs. 

2.0 MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FLORIDA’S ONSITE SYSTEMS 

Florida has been a leader in the field of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal practices. 

Onsite system construction and use standards in the State date to 1921. These standards 

provide needed environmental and public health protection. However, increases in population 

density have placed significant challenges to Florida’s onsite system industry and regulatory 

authorities. In particular there is growing concern over the nutrient impact on Florida’s waters 

from onsite systems, as well as other non-point sources of nutrients. 

The majority of Florida’s onsite systems provide passive treatment with a septic tank and 

subsurface drainfield. With the advent of new onsite system technologies, management and 

maintenance became critical to ensure the proper functioning of these systems. The 

management of these systems conforms to the EPA Maintenance Contract and Operating 

Permit management models 2 and 3. 

The Maintenance Contract Model applies “where more complex system designs are employed 

to enhance the capacity of conventional systems to accept and treat wastewater” and the 

“objectives of this model build on the Homeowner Awareness Model by ensuring that property 

owners maintain maintenance contracts with trained operators.” The Operating Permit Model is 

recommended when “sustained performance of onsite wastewater treatment systems is critical 

to protect public health and water quality . . . A principal objective of this management program 

is to ensure that the onsite wastewater treatment systems continuously meet their performance 

criteria...limited-term operating permits are issued to the property owner and are renewable for 

another term if the owner demonstrates that the system is in compliance with the terms and 

conditions of the permit...systems can be used safely in more sensitive environments if their 

performance meets those requirements reliably and consistently. The operating permit provides 

a mechanism for continuous oversight of system performance and negotiating timely corrective 

actions or levying penalties if compliance with the permit is not maintained. To comply with 

these performance standards, the property owner should be encouraged to hire a licensed 

maintenance provider or operator.” 

In Florida, less than one percent of the estimated 2.3 million active systems has operating 

permits and receives annual inspections by the Department of Health and routine maintenance 

from private maintenance entities. Beyond a conventional septic tank and subsurface drainfield, 

the advanced or more complex onsite systems designs that require operating permits, generally 

utilize aerobic treatment units (ATU), or are designed to meet specific treatment standards 

(performance-based treatment systems), or are systems designed to treat commercial sewage 
3

waste (food establishments), or are systems that are located in industrial or manufacturing 

areas, where there is potential for disposal of hazardous, toxic, or industrial wastes. Of the 16, 

701 onsite systems with operating permits, approximately 54% are ATU, 34% are located in 

industrial or manufacturing zones, 8% are designed to treat commercial sewage waste and 5% 

are for performance-based treatment systems. 

Notable because of the lack of management and maintenance requirements, is the remaining 

99% of Florida onsite sewage systems. While these systems were designed and installed in 

accordance with the regulations at the time of construction and installation, many are aging and 

by today’s standards, may be under designed. In addition, repairs of onsite systems were not 

regulated until 1987; many systems may have been unlawfully modified. Also, 1.3 million onsite 

systems were installed prior to 1983 (DOH Statistical Data) and a significant fraction of the pre1983 systems may have been installed with a 6” separation from the bottom of the drainfield to 

the estimated seasonal high water table. The current water table separation requirement is 24” 

and is based on research findings compiled by the DOH in 1989 that indicate for septic tank 

effluent; the presence of at least two feet (24”) of unsaturated fine sandy soil is needed to 

provide a relatively high degree of treatment for most wastewater constituents. Florida’s pre1983 systems may not provide the same level protection expected from systems installed under 

current construction standards. 

While not an EPA Maintenance Contract or Operating Permit Model program, a mandatory 

statewide 5-year septic tank inspection program to be phased in over 10 years, based on the 

Department of Health’s existing procedure for voluntary inspection, would be a significant 

upgrade to Florida’s onsite system management practices. The mandatory inspections would 

initially be phased in through inspection and inclusion of onsite systems that are already 

inspected by the Department (i.e., county ordained mandatory inspection programs, systems 

applying for modifications or repairs and for systems subject to real estate transactions). A 

mandatory septic inspection program would result in greater environmental and public health 

protection by increasing system owner awareness, prolonging system life and delaying or 

eliminating costly system repairs. 

2.1 COUNTY MANDATED SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROGRAMS 

There are 3 Florida counties, Charlotte, Escambia, and Santa Rosa that have implemented local 

management and maintenance programs to ensure the onsite system infrastructure is 

adequately maintained and continues to operate effectively. A survey of these management 

programs was conducted July 16, 2008. 

The Charlotte County locally mandated inspection program was implemented in 2007. It 

requires 5-year inspections in geographically designated and environmentally sensitive areas. 

The tracking and property owner inspection notification process is handled by the county health 

department (CHD) and inspections are performed by both the CHD inspectors and the private 

sector (Registered Septic Tank Contractors, State Licensed Plumbers and Private Certified 

Environmental Health Professionals). For the year starting July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 

2008, the Charlotte County program conducted 3000 mandated septic tank inspections. 

Charlotte County’s mandatory inspection program is costing approximately $115.00 per 

inspection and the program cost is covered by local fees. In general, the program was received 

favorably, but has received some complaints from economically challenged property owners. 

Charlotte CHD suggested that a statewide mandatory septic system inspection program must 

be properly staffed and must charge ample fees to cover costs. 
4

The Escambia County program was implemented in 1999 and the mandated septic inspection is 

required at the point of sale (POS) on a real estate transaction. The inspection procedure is 

similar to the Department of Health’s existing procedure for voluntary inspections. The objective 

of the POS inspection is to provide information and protection to property owners and to identify 

and repair existing malfunctioning systems. The program inspections are limited to a 

geographically designated environmentally sensitive areas and the property owner notification 

process is handled by realtors and title companies. Inspections are performed and tracked by 

the Escambia CHD. For the year starting July 1, 2007, ending June 30, 2008, the Escambia 

County program conducted 711 mandated septic tank inspections. In general, Escambia 

County’s program was favorably received, as property buyers benefit from the information they 

receive on the condition of the onsite system. Escambia County’s mandatory inspection 

program is costing approximately $83.93 per inspection and program costs are covered with by 

an inspection fee. Escambia County suggested that a statewide mandatory septic tank 

inspection program must be adequately tracked, have a proper enforcement mechanism and 

consider a program to provide financial aid. 

The Santa Rosa County program was implemented in 2000 and requires a mandatory 

inspection every 5 years. Similar to Escambia County’s program, in Santa Rosa the program 

inspections are limited to geographically designated environmentally sensitive areas and the 

property owner notification process is handled by the real estate industry. CHD inspector, 

Registered Septic Tank Contractors and Private Environmental Health Professionals are 

permitted to perform the mandatory inspections. For the year starting July 1, 2007, ending June 

30, 2008, the Santa Rosa County program conducted 944 mandated septic tank inspections. In 

general, Santa Rosa County’s program was favorably received. The CHD reported that while 

new taxes or program fees were not popular, property buyers do appreciate the information they 

receive on the condition of the onsite system. Santa Rosa County’s mandatory inspection 

program is costing approximately $215.00 per inspection and program costs are partially 

recovered with a $150.00 per inspection fee. Santa Rosa County suggested that a statewide 

mandatory septic tank inspection program should at least require pumping of the tanks and 

appropriate fees to cover the complete cost of the program. 

A number of counties, including Franklin and Monroe, already have a significant number of 

systems under operating permits and maintenance agreements. Wakulla County has recently 

adopted a local ordinance requiring performance based treatment systems which are under 

active management. A number of other counties are actively considering such programs. 

3.0 MANDATORY SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROGRAM COSTS 

Following is the range of costs analysis for the implementation of a 5-year statewide 

management and maintenance mandatory septic tank inspection program. Cost ranges are 

given for department and the private sector, both in terms of administrative and onsite system 

construction costs. Phasing in this program during real estate transactions would provide 

opportunity for the owner to fund any needed repairs or upgrades. 

3.1 DOH ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES 

The annual DOH administrative expenditures include the costs of one full time equivalency in 

central office and the costs for the county health department staff to conduct the mandatory 

inspection program. The county health department costs has been calculated based on the 

estimated number of annual inspections and the cost of implementing similar programs in 

Charlotte, Escambia, and Santa Rosa counties (Table 1). 
5

The estimated revenue is obtained by dividing the approximate 2.3 million active OSTDS into 10 

years to obtain the 230,000 systems that would need to be inspected. However, on a yearly 

basis, an average number of onsite systems will already be inspected by the department during 

the normal course of business and these would not need to be included. These are onsite 

systems that are currently inspected under a county ordained mandatory inspection program 

(4,940), modifications to existing systems (5,302), system repairs (19527), abandoned systems 

(5065), and the 16,701 systems that are currently managed under DOH operating permits. 

These inspections would comply with the proposed statewide mandatory septic tank inspection 

based on the existing voluntary inspection procedure. The 230,000 systems to be inspected 

can be reduced by a total of 51,535 systems, for a total of 178,465 systems per year that would 

be subject to the mandatory septic tank inspection program. 

Table 1. Estimated Expenditures Annual 

CENTRAL OFFICE 

1 FTE Environmental Health Program 

Consultant Oversees statewide mandatory 

inspection program. FTE computed at 10% 

over minimum w/35% fringe and 25% lapse. 

Includes max travel, operating capital 

outlay, and human resource. 

$82,712 

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

County Health Department Staff. Initial 

costs based on 178,465 mandatory septic 

tank inspections with a 9.5% failure rate 

(repair required). 

178,465 inspections * $112 (CHD Inspection 

Permit Fee) = $21,772,730 

178,465 * 0.095 (county mandated inspection 

program estimated failure rate) = 16,954 

failures. 

16,954 (estimated failures) * $195 (CHD repair 

permit fee) = $3,306,030 

TOTAL CHD COST 

$21,772,730 + $3,306,030 = $ $25,078,760 

TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES 

____________ 

$25,161,472 
6

The current Florida Demographic Forecast predicts a slower population growth for the next 10 

years. The forecast indicates that between April 1, 2010 and April 1, 2018; population growth is 

expected to average 301,795 net new residents per year. Based on the demographic forecast 

of 301,795 new residents per year, by year 2018 Florida could add as many as 2,414,360 new 

residents. U.S. Census data for the year 2000 indicates there were 2.46 persons per Florida 

household. By 2018, Florida could expect to add approximately 981,447 new households. 

DOH 2002 Census data shows that approximately 31% of Florida’s population is served by 

onsite systems. Based on the demographic forecasting data and assuming that 31% of the 

population will continue to be served by onsite systems, by the year 2018 Florida could expect 

to add as many as 304,249 new onsite systems or an average of 30,249 systems per year. 

It is anticipated that department expenditures would be offset by application and permit fees. 

Fees currently charged by the counties with mandatory inspections average $149.64 (range 

from $83.93 to $215.00). 

3.2 PRIVATE SECTOR COSTS 

The estimates for private sector costs were obtained based on the following assumptions. 

• The number of inspections expected to identify failing systems, was based on the 

average failure rate obtained from the Charlotte and Santa Rosa county 

mandated septic tank inspection programs. The Charlotte county failure rate is 

8%. Santa Rosa CHD reported a failure rate of 11%. Their average failure rate 

was 9.5% per year. This average failure rate was applied to the 178,465 

expected yearly inspections. 

• Estimated private sector OSTDS contracting construction costs were based on 

pricing information collected by DOH in two previous onsite sewage treatment 

and disposal system projects. In 2006, the Department provided a summary 

comparison for conventional versus performance based onsite sewage treatment 

and disposal systems to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The cost 

comparison was provided in response to a request from DCA for price quotes for 

the installation of nitrogen reducing technology relative to conventional system 

technology in Wakulla County, Florida. In 2007 the department conducted a 

second cost survey to obtain system pricing for the Wekiva Study Area north of 

Orlando. 

Wakulla County Pricing Information 

The estimates provided in the Wakulla County project were based on the cost to install a system 

for an average new 3-bedroom house in the Crawfordville area of Wakulla County, with a 

nitrogen treatment standard of 10 mg/L TN, a 300 gallon daily flow, assuming to meet all 

regulatory requirements (e.g., setbacks, authorized sewage flows, etc). The estimated costs 

accounted for varying soil and water table conditions, which are factors that directly influence 

drainfield sizes. The systems reported to have a drainfield bottom relative to ground surface of 

3 and 24 inches, are mounded drainfields that require additional fill and would be more costly to 

construct. The Wakulla County price information provides cost information for low-pressure 

dosed, drip and gravity systems for a range of treatment levels. 
7

Table 2. Wakulla County OSTDS Average Cost Table 

Drainfield 

Bottom 

Elevation 

Relative to 

Ground Surface 

Conventional 

drainfield area 

(ft2) 

PBTS-Cost 

(Advanced 

secondary 

TN=10 mg/L) 

Conventional 

System Cost 

Dosed System 

(low-pressure 

or drip 

irrigation) 

24” above 300 $11,275 (drip) 

$11,350 (lowpressure) 

$8,150 (drip) 

$7,850 (lowpressure) 

Dosed System 

(low pressure 

or drip 

irrigation) 

3” above 462 $10,875 (drip) 

$8,800 (lowpressure) 

$6,000 (drip) 

$5,300 (lowpressure) 

Dosed System 

(low pressure 

or drip 

irrigation) 

18” below 334 $10,575 (drip) 

$7,060 (lowpressure) 

$3,800 (drip) 

$3,560 (lowpressure) 

Gravity 

System 

18” below 334 $7,253 

$5,375 

$2,100 

$1,875

Wekiva Study Area Pricing Information 

The Wekiva Study Area costs estimates were based on the cost for repair to systems receiving 

an average of 300 gallons per day (gpd) or a typical residential 3-bedroom house with no more 

than 2,250 square feet of building area. For installation of new systems, the costs were 

estimated for a system receiving 400 gpd or a typical residential 4-bedroom house with no more 

than 3,300 square feet of building area. The Wekiva estimates also accounted for differences 

in repair and new installations costs by soils. One scenario looked at wet soils where a 

mounded drainfield would be required. The second scenario looked at a dryer soil where a 

subsurface drainfield would be required. The Wekiva Study Area cost survey estimate the cost 

of a voluntary tank pump out and existing system evaluation at $500.00 each. 
8

Table 3. Wekiva Study Area OSTDS Average Cost Table 

Standard 

Gravity 

System 

(septic tank 

and 

drainfield) 

ATU and 

Gravity 

Drainfield 

PBTS 10 

– 20 mg/l 

TN and 

Gravity 

Drainfield 

Standard 

Mound 

(septic tank 

and 

mounded 

drainfield) 

ATU and 

Mounded 

Drainfield 

PBTS 10 – 

20 mg/l TN 

and 

Mounded 

Drainfield 

Repair 

(Drainfield 

only) 

$3,750 $4,500 $4,500 $5,496 NO DATA NO DATA 

Repair 

(Tank/Drain

field) 

$4,425 $11,666 $11,666 $6,312 $13,633 $13,633 

New 

Systems $3,886 $10,565 12,000 $5,602 $13,262 $13,900 

Pump out 

and 

Evaluation $500.00 

The estimated system repair cost is obtained by averaging the system cost information collected 

by DOH for the Wekiva Study Area and Wakulla County Projects. The combined average range 

is $1,988 to $4,088, resulting in a combined system costs average of $3,038 per system. 

Finally, the costs of a septic tank pump out and existing system evaluation, obtained from the 

cost survey information collected during the Wekiva Study Area Project, is estimated to be 

$500.00. 

Table 4. Private Sector OSTDS Costs Annual 

1. System Not in Failure

CHD Fees: Includes Notification, Application and Permit 

Review. 

Private Existing System Evaluation 

Estimated Cost to System Owner 

Estimated 178,465 inspections * 0.905% = 161,511 

Estimated Private Sector Cost/year = 161,511 * $612 = 

$112 

$500 

_________ 

$612 

_________ 

$98,844,732 
9

Table 4. Private Sector OSTDS Costs Annual 

2. System in Failure

CHD Fees 

(Includes CHD Owner Notification and Records Maintenance 

Fee, CHD Application and Permit or Compliance 

Determination Fee) 

CHD Repair Fee 

(Site Evaluation of $115 + Research/Surcharge of $5 + 

Construction and Final Inspection Fee of $75 + above listed 

CHD Fees.) 

Private Existing System Evaluation 

Average System Repair Cost 

Estimated Cost to System Owner 

Estimated 178,465 * 0.095% = 16,954 failures 

Estimated Private Sector Cost/year = 16,954 * ($112 + $195 + 

$500 + $3,038) = 16,954 * 3,845 = 

Overall Private Sector Costs 

$112 

$195 

$500 

$3,038 

________ 

$3,845 

___________ 

$65,188,130 

___________ 

$164,032,862 

With the system not in failure the $612 cost over five years prorates to $10.20 per month. This 

figure is significantly less than monthly sewer fees. With the system in failure the $3,845 cost 

over five years prorates to $64.08 per month. Again this figure is significantly less than the 

connection charge to central sewer. 

3.3 MANDATORY 5-YEAR SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE 

This management program is intended to provide mandatory maintenance for onsite sewage 

treatment and disposal systems on a recurring five-year cycle to be phased in over a 10-year 

period. The procedures used to inspect the system as well as the required report will be based 

on the voluntary inspection protocol currently in use. Additional requirements shall be written 

that will allow systems that have been inspected under other departmental criteria to receive 

credit for having the system maintained. During the initial 8 years of implementation, the 

statewide mandatory septic tank inspection program will first include all onsite systems 

inspected under other departmental criteria (i.e., county ordained mandatory inspection 

programs, systems that apply for modifications or repairs and for systems that are subject to 

real estate transactions). In the final two-years of implementation, subject to the completion of 

the statewide inventory of onsite treatment and disposal systems, as required by House Bill 

5001, all remaining onsite systems will be inspected and phased in a 5-year cycle. A separate 

benefit from performing this program will be the identification of onsite sewage treatment and 

disposal systems that are not functioning in a sanitary manner. Systems that are found to not 

be functioning in a sanitary manner will be required to be repaired in compliance with 

department standards. 
10

4. CONCLUSION 

As required in Section 5 of the Conference Report On House Bill 5001, General Appropriations 

Act for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, this report identifies the range of costs to implement a mandatory 

statewide 5-year septic tank inspection program to be phased in over 10 years pursuant to the 

Department of Health’s procedure for voluntary inspection, including use of fees to offset costs. 

The costs range is provided for department and the private sector, both in terms of 

administrative and onsite system construction costs. Department costs are identified in terms of 

expenditures. Private sector costs are identified in terms of individual system owner costs and 

overall private sector costs. 

The estimated costs ranges are: 

The estimated cost to system owner when the private sector (Certified Environmental Health 

Professional or Registered Septic Tank Contractor) performs the mandatory septic tank 

inspection and the system is found in good operating conditions is $612. With the system not in 

failure the $612 cost over five years prorates to $10.20 per month. This figure is significantly 

less than monthly sewer fees. 

The estimated cost to the system owner when the private sector (Certified Environmental Health 

Professional or Registered Septic Tank Contractor) performs the mandatory septic tank 

inspection and the system is found to be in failure (add system repair cost) is $3,845. With the 

system in failure the $3,845 cost over five years prorates to $64.08 per month. Again this figure 

is significantly less than the connection charge to central sewer. 

Total annual estimated cost to department is $25.2 million to be recovered by user fees, and the 

overall private sector costs are $164 million. 

In order to implement the mandatory septic inspection program, the department will need to be 

given statutory authority and rule promulgation authority. This should occur in section 

381.0065, Florida Statutes, the location of all other statutory authority for the regulation of onsite 

sewage treatment and disposal systems by the Department of Health. Without specific program 

authority the department will not be able to perform this function. Consideration could also be 

given to providing authority to a grant or loan program for low income families funded by a 

portion of the user fees. 

The Environmental Protection Agency states that onsite systems are a “cost-effective and longterm option for meeting public health and water quality goals”. It is the responsibility of the State 

of Florida to implement an onsite system management and maintenance program (i.e., 

mandatory septic tank inspection program), to ensure proper evaluation, maintenance and 

upgrades to Florida’s onsite system infrastructure. A properly implemented management 

program will benefit Florida’s onsite system owners and will improve environmental and public 

health protection.