Sewer Assessment FAQs

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.
 

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.
 

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.

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 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. 

On average, 40% of septic tanks do not function properly. The major problem is that they contain significant amounts of bacterial and viral pathogens which can and do pose a significant health risk.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
“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 Health:
“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.”

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.
 

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.

All unpaid assessments associated with a parcel in the Assessment District will be due at the time of sale or transfer of ownership of the parcel.

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.
 

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.