City of Marco Island - Frequently Asked Questions-Sewer Assessment

Because of high density coastal development, extensive waterways, and a high water table, septic systems are not appropriate for Marco Island and they should be eliminated before more serious problems develop. In coastal areas, septic systems cannot adequately treat human waste. They cannot adequately remove viruses, fecal matter, pharmaceuticals, and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate, all of which present health risks and degradation of our waterways. Studies show by-products of human waste can rapidly leech into our yards, sidewalks, and waterways. In Florida, many areas have experienced waterway contamination from failed septic tanks. Historic monitoring of water quality surrounding Marco Island provides clear indication that pollutants have increased in the waterways. Nitrogen and fecal matter in waterways adjacent to properties served by septic systems have increased over time, and they are significantly higher during the rainy season, even with our lower population.

An independent statistically valid survey reported that a majority of Marco Island citizens believe that septic tanks negatively impact the water quality of our waterways. 62% are interested in connecting to a central sewer system and 4 out of 5 believe a central sewer system is the best option to handle an increasing volume of wastewater. In a 2004 MICA member survey, 75% of respondents expressing an opinion supported a citywide sewer system and elimination of septic tanks.

Septic systems, new or old, maintained or not, are simply not designed or installed to adequately protect our waterways. They do not adequately treat pollutants such as fecal matter, viruses, and pharmaceuticals, which are health issues, and nutrients, such as nitrogen, which create aquatic growth such as algae blooms, darken our waters, and deplete fish life. Septic system effluent migrates from our yards to our waterways. Because of the high water table on Marco Island during the rainy season and the close proximity of septic systems to our waterways, there is inadequate earth filtering space to treat fecal matter before it enters our waterways.

Septic tanks convert fecal matter, urea, and other wastes into a sludge that remains in a tank. Liquid is then conveyed through the yard and ground through perforated plastic pipe and drain fields, usually in the front yard. Biological activity takes place in the tank and yard, but as sludge in the tank builds up, biological activity is reduced. Seasonal use of septic systems, common on Marco Island, limits effective treatment. It takes about 30 days to develop biological treatment when a home is vacant for a period and then reoccupied. During this time, little sewage treatment is achieved. Septic systems work best in rural areas that have low density, more land, and are further from lakes, rivers, and the coastal estuarine.

Many septic systems do not operate properly during the summer months when the ground water table is higher. Often, the water table is at or above the drain field in the yard. Human waste then leaks into the soils, ground water, and surrounding areas.

The following is a summary of several scientific reports on the influence of septic systems on adjacent waterways, and the potential health hazards relating to septic tanks in coastal areas. Please visit our web site (www.cityofmarcoisland.com) for a complete summary, documentation, and sources of scientific studies and reports regarding septic systems.

Fecal coliform is higher in waterways adjoining areas with septic systems, and they are twice as high during the rainy season. Fecal coliform, nitrates, and phosphates present in septic systems are responsible for such diseases as shigellosis, typhoid fever, gastroenteritis, and blue baby syndrome.

Ground water contamination via septic tanks is a nation-wide problem but is more prevalent in coastal areas. Studies demonstrate rapid movement of viruses from septic tanks into nearby coastal waters. Infectious enteroviruses were detected throughout the study area, indicating a widespread contamination problem. Properly functioning septic systems remove very little nutrients and effluent can rapidly migrate to surface waters. Sewage discharge from septic tanks is a source of nutrients and human pathogens to ground and surface waters. Septic systems lead to contamination of the marine surface waters.

“Septic tanks, when properly designed, constructed and maintained, perform well in sparsely populated rural areas where large tracts of lands are available for wastewater disposal.” “In urban and coastal areas, septic tank and drain-field systems can have a significant impact on resources, particularly in residential communities interspersed with tidal canals.” Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“When public sewer is available it is always the desired way to serve the urban domestic waste needs of residents.” “The possible interaction with tidal areas, potential flooding and septic system failures make the public sewer system a more desirable option to protect public health in your island environment.” Florida Department of Health.

Yes. On average, both total nitrogen and fecal bacteria counts have increased in our waterways from the past to the present, and they appear to be caused by septic systems. Most high fecal counts have occurred in the unsewered areas during the rainy season when septic systems do not work effectively. The fecal bacteria levels are 46% higher in the unsewered areas than in the waterways where central sewer service is available.

In 1979 the Deltona Corporation, in their Environmental Impact Statement, said that a central sewer system would be installed on the island and that septic tanks would not be allowed. Deltona installed a sewer collection system in certain parts of the island and, in 1979 Collier County began installing sewers. Unfortunately, Collier County ceased their sewer installation on Marco Island in the 1980s, but they removed over 10,000 septic tanks in the Naples area because of pollution to Naples Bay. As a result, only about 40% of the homes on Marco Island are served by the central sewer system for treatment of sanitary waste.

The City of Naples has already replaced their septic tanks. Cape Coral is in the process of expanding its central sewer system to all properties. The City of Sanibel is replacing septic tanks with a central sewer system. Monroe County (Key West) is eliminating septic systems.

The enclosed map shows fourteen assessment areas with the anticipated date of construction. Also, there is a list of the streets within each of the districts. There may be slight variations to these districts; therefore, the map should be considered a planning document subject to minor variations as the projects are designed from year to year.

The Marco Island Utilities Business Plan provides for the creation of a master plan for the construction of sewers throughout the City. The Plan calls for the installation in phases over seven years for several reasons. As sewer construction projects can be fairly disturbing to neighborhoods, construction will be planned in phases to minimize citywide disruptions. The geography of an area influences the geographic boundaries of each assessment district. The districts were created in a logical sequence for the wastewater system expansion. There is not sufficient sewer force main and sewer treatment capacity to handle the additional sewage flow if all properties are connected at the same time. Capacity of the wastewater treatment plant will be expanded beginning next year.

Wastewater Treatment Capacity Improvements (“capacity cost”) include planning, engineering, and construction of other wastewater facilities that may not be within your district, but must be expanded to accommodate additional sanitary waste. These include major transmission lines and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.

Wastewater Collection Improvements (“construction cost”) include the planning, design, engineering, and construction cost of the improvements in your district, including sewer gravity lines, force mains, lift stations, and other associated costs for the improvements.

An ERC is an ‘equivalent residential connection’ that generally represents the usage requirements of a single-family residential customer for a home with less than 2,500 square feet. ERC is the basis to compute sewer assessments. Each home built before June 1, 2005 is considered to be one (1) ERC (even though it may be larger than 2,500 square feet). A commercial property may have more than one ERC depending upon the commercial use of the property. For vacant properties or for existing homes that are expanded in the future, there may be an additional ERC cost that must be paid upon issuance of a building permit. For instance, a single-family home constructed after June 1, 2005 that is greater than 2,500 air-conditioned square feet is assessed one (1) ERC for the first 2,500 square feet and an additional 0.33 ERC for each 700 square feet thereafter.

Yes. The cost to property owners within each respective district will be the same. Homes existing prior to June 1, 2005 will be considered one (1) ERC and will pay the same assessment. Homes built after June 1, 2005 or homes that are expanded may be more than one (1) ERC and, therefore, the “capacity cost” component of the assessment may be higher.

In some areas the lots are smaller than in other areas. Therefore, the cost to serve smaller properties may be less than areas where the lots are larger and where more lineal feet of sewer mains are required. The geography of some areas may require more or less sewer pump stations used to transport sewage through the force mains. The estimated cost for each district cannot be determined until detailed engineering plans have been prepared with estimated construction costs at that time. Construction costs may vary from year to year. Because Florida Statutes require that property owners be informed of the “maximum assessment” it is important that reasonable estimates be derived after final engineering plans have been completed for each project area. To obtain construction bids for seven years into the future, contractors will likely factor in such a high contingency as to make the program financially impractical.

The sanitary sewer main will either be located beneath the street or along the swale area. Sewer laterals will be installed. The sewer lateral will run from the sewer main to your front property line. Your sewer line will run from your home to the lateral.

Prior to securing financing for your district, you will be offered a six percent (6%) discount for prepayment of the assessment amount associated with each parcel. With prepayment, there will be no annual assessment placed on your property tax bill.

Connection of existing structures to the new sanitary sewer line is mandatory. Upon completion of the construction of the sewer main along the street, property owners will be notified by mail that the sewer line is available and connection is required. Abandonment of the existing septic tank and connection to the new sewer main will be required approximately 90 days after notification.

An existing septic tank must be cleaned and either removed or broken in place and filled with sand or other acceptable materials. To do so requires a permit from the State Health Department and the City. A sewer line will need to be installed from an existing home and connected to the sewer main in front of the property. This work is performed by a licensed plumbing contractor and a certified septic tank removal contractor. The costs may vary, depending upon the amount of landscaping that must be removed or relocated. An estimated cost is in the $2,000 range.

To ease the burden on the homeowner, Marco Island Utilities will propose a “turnkey” alternative. As the sewer lines are constructed and ready for service on a street, Marco Island Utilities will pre-qualify plumbing contractors and negotiate a price to connect the home to the sewer main. The cost will include a firm construction cost and a landscape allowance, since all properties will have different landscape conditions. The property owner will be afforded the opportunity to have the City coordinate permitting, supervise the contractor, and inspect the work. The property owner must sign an agreement with the City setting forth the terms and conditions and granting the City permission to enter private property. After the work is performed, Marco Island Utilities will add the cost to the property owner’s monthly utility bill. Payment will be due at the same time as the utility bill is due.

A property owner may choose not to contract with the City for the construction of the sewer line on private property. Property owners may select and supervise their own licensed contractors and obtain the required permits and inspections from the State Health Department and the City.

Vacant properties will be assessed, just like properties with existing homes. When a home is built in the future, and the new home has 2,500 square feet or less of air-conditioned square footage, the assessment is one (1) ERC. Therefore, there will not be any additional sewer assessments other than the capacity cost ($6,298) plus the construction cost (to be determined). However, if the home exceeds 2,500 square feet, there will additional fees payable upon the issuance of a building permit.

Yes. Maximum Assessment consists of an estimated cost to construct sanitary sewer lines in your area. If the actual construction costs are less than the estimate, the final assessment will be less than the Maximum Assessment provided in this notice.

Each property owner will be asked to consider prepayment in advance of construction. If a property owner decides to prepay the assessment, there will be a six percent (6%) discount from the assessment. If a property owner elects to pay the assessment over twenty (20) years, the property owner will be required to pay the assessment over the 20-year period, plus the cost of funds (interest rate on borrowed money), plus one percent (1%) each year. Therefore, your tax bill will have a Sewer Assessment equal to one-twentieth (1/20) of the assessment, plus interest, plus one percent (1%), for a period of twenty (20) years unless paid off earlier. If a property owner elects to defer payment of the assessment for up to 20 years, payment plus accrued interest plus one percent is due at the end of the 20 years. If assessments are paid in equal installments over 20 years or if they are deferred for up to 20 years, payment plus interest is due upon transfer of property ownership.

The current plan is to establish 14 districts set up over seven years. Until detailed engineering plans are developed and construction costs estimated for each individual district, actual assessment costs cannot be determined. However, two small sewer assessment districts were set up this year, and they may serve as an example as to the range of costs.

The capacity cost for all districts will be the same for homes constructed as of June 1, 2005, which is $6,298 per parcel (ERC). The engineering estimates for the construction costs (new sewer lines) for each of the first two districts are $11,840 for one and $13,810 for the other. Adding the “capacity cost” and the “construction cost,” the maximum amount of the assessments are $18,138 and $20,108 respectively, before financing costs are added. Assessments may be lower for these two districts if actual construction costs are lower than the estimates.

Marco Island Utilities is seeking state and federal grant assistance at every opportunity. Receipt of grants will lower the assessment costs for everyone. Value engineering is conducted to ensure the best and most cost-effective engineering design for each sewer construction project. A competitive bid process is used to select the lowest responsible bidder who is best qualified to do the work.

The assessment program allows deferment of assessment payments for up to 20 years. After 20 years, the City Manager is authorized to grant a financial hardship deferment to property owners deemed eligible for this program. Eligible property owners would not be required to pay the assessment plus accrued interest until sale or transfer of property ownership.

When the new sewer collection system is completed in an area, for those who elect not to prepay the assessment, the assessment will be included on the ad valorem tax bill in equal installments for 20 years. The first payment will be included on the bill mailed in November of the year that construction is completed and each year thereafter. For property owners who elect to defer the assessment for 20 years, the assessment plus accrued interest will be billed to the property owners 20 years following availability of the new sewer lines to the property.