Pinellas County Utilities is planning a Lake Tarpon septic-to-sewer project to reduce pollution reaching Lake Tarpon and the Tampa Bay Estuary and replace aging wastewater infrastructure. The project is in three communities northeast of Lake Tarpon; the County says design is complete and construction timing will be developed as the project progresses.
Project area. The potentially affected neighborhoods are:
- Lora Lane: Lora Lane, Quail Forest Drive and Cypress Trail between Whispering Lakes Boulevard and Ranch Road.
- Keystone Ranchettes: Appaloosa Road, Forelock Road and Ranch Road between Lora Lane and Woodfield Boulevard.
- Oakhill Acres: Dogwood Trace, Maple Trace, Magnolia Trace, Cedar Trace, Willow Trace and part of Cypress Trace, between East Lake Road South and Westgate Road.
The project includes planned pump stations, pipelines and service laterals. Funding includes $10 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For project information, call 727-350-7455 or email [email protected]. unverified
Costs and connection. The County says it is too early to provide an accurate estimate of the cost to individual property owners. It reports average residential sewer service of about $45 to $55 per month, billed every other month at approximately $90 to $110 per bill. The County does not plan to require homeowners to connect to this system at this time. If you choose to connect, the County says it will not compensate you or provide a utility-billing discount for a recently repaired or new septic tank, and there is no property-tax exemption or discount to offset tax increases related to removing the tank. unverified
If you connect. After connection to the new sewer system, the existing septic system must be abandoned within 90 days. A Florida Department of Health abandonment permit is required for each system, and the department will inspect the completed abandonment. The County says the connection method and whether a trench is needed depend on site and sewer-lateral conditions. Property owners are responsible for maintaining private sewer laterals and any grinder pump on their property; the County is responsible for infrastructure in easements or public rights of way.
If you remain on septic. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says local county health departments continue to handle septic-system permitting and inspections in counties outside the 16 where DEP took over permitting. For Pinellas septic questions, consult the department's onsite sewage information or contact it at 727-824-6900. Rules and requirements for a particular property or project should be confirmed with the responsible agency.