CDBG Project: Marydia Sewer Enhancement Frequently Asked Questions (revised 8.9.2016)

Published on: Jul 7, 2016

If I want to connect to sewer and not water, can I?

Yes. Residents can connect to the sewer without connecting to the water system. A resident connected to the sewer without water will be billed a flat amount monthly for the sewer.

If I connect to city water, will I have to pay an abandoned well permit fee?

If the water connection is completed within fifteen months of notice that the sewer hook-up is available, the County will waive the $50 abandoned well permit fee. However this work must be done by a Licensed Water Well Contractor.

If I have city water, but still have a well, can I use the well water for irrigation?

Yes, as long as the new potable water service has a backflow preventer, and the well is not pumping sand, you can use the existing well for irrigation. The cost for a backflow preventer is $170.00. If the well is permanently abandoned a backflow preventer is not required.

Is city water hook up required?

If a home is being rehabilitated and the improvements are more than 50% of the value of the existing structure, yes. New construction and/or newly installed manufactured homes must connect to city water when available.

What can I expect during the sewer construction phase?

• Typical construction work-day Monday-Friday 8-10 hours between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm; partial street closures during work hours; access to homes will be maintained as much as possible; contractor to notify and coordinate with residents in advance when construction work affects them.
• Demolition of the existing road to construct the sewer main.
• Dewatering prior to full width excavation of street pavement
• Excavation and construction of main line in street
• Service laterals extended to property line and terminate with a cleanout (location of lateral will be coordinated with each property owner)
• Backfill and compaction
• Final road restoration prior to paving
• Finished cleanout with pad prior to lawn restoration
• Road paving

Will I be forced to connect to the sewer system?

The Florida Osceola County Health Department will not force existing homes to connect unless the septic tank servicing the property is failing. New homes constructed/manufactured homes installed after the sewer system becomes available will be required to connect to the sewer system.

What options do I have to cover the connection fees?

Toho Water Authority has a System Development Charge (SDC) fee for both water and sewer; a sewer connection fee; and a water meter fee. The Water and Sewer SDC fees are $2,337.00 and $3,336.84, respectively. The sewer connection fee is $125.00 and the water meter fee is $300.00 (3/4”). A 20-year finance plan is available to pay these fees for homeowners. The financed amount would be added to the monthly water and/or sewer bill.

How much is the average monthly water and/or sewer bill? What’s the minimum monthly bill?

For an average use of 4,000 gallons a month the present monthly water bill, including the financed water SDC and meter fees, is approximately $25.00 per month (minimum is $21.00 per month). For an average use of 4,000 gallons a month the present monthly sewer bill, including the financed sewer SDC and connection fees, is approximately $47.00 per month (minimum is $33.00 per month). The combined monthly bill for both water and sewer is approximately $72.00 per month (minimum of $54.00 per month).

How will the location of the proposed sewer laterals be decided during construction?

The contractor will coordinate the location of the proposed sewer lateral with the homeowner and will depend on the house’s sewer exit point.

What is the process and the cost to extend the sewer lateral from the cleanout in the right of way to the house?

Property owners will be responsible for the connection from the cleanout in the right of way to the house. The connection cost will vary based on distance from the cleanout to the house, and obstacles that may need to be circumvented such as driveways or trees. The estimated cost to extend the sewer lateral from the cleanout to the house is $1500.

The following options are available:

• If owner occupied, the homeowner can choose to do this themselves.
• The County will offer a grant to pay a qualified contractor to connect from the lateral cleanout to the house.
  • Available to renters or owners
  • Applicant must income qualify to be eligible
• Grant will only be offered after initial construction; if property is not connected and the septic fails later, costs to repair/replace a septic system/drain field can range from $6,000 to $11,000.

What is the process and cost to abandon my existing septic tank?

The property owner will need to obtain a permit from the Florida Health Department. The abandonment permit fee is $50.00. The estimated cost for tank abandonment is $500 to $750.

• The County will offer a grant to pay a qualified contractor to abandon the septic tank.
  • Available to renters or owners
  • Applicant must income qualify to be eligible
  • The County permit fee for grant-eligible households will be waived. The Florida Health Department permit fee cannot be waived, but can be paid by the grant.