Subcommittee advances ban on land application of septage where sewer service available

Representative Bowles presented HB 1285, which would prohibit the land application of septage when a sanitary sewer treatment facility is available to receive and properly treat septage. The sponsor said the measure addresses a statewide issue affecting his district.

Representative Boles offered an amendment that provided a statutory definition of 'septage' and clerical corrections; the amendment was adopted. Roxanne Groover, executive director of the Florida On-site Wastewater Association, provided information-only testimony. She said the sector has been engaged on related issues for many years, warned that some receiving facilities may stop accepting flows under new rules, and urged caution on implementation timing; she noted that more than 30% of state residents rely on on-site systems and described increases in pump-out costs since program responsibility moved to DEP.

Sponsor and supporters argued the bill requires receiving facilities to accept flows or permits for alternate land-application facilities could remain available. The committee recorded 16 yays and 0 nays and reported the bill favorably.