Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
The task force concluded that septic systems are a well-known and substantial source of nutrients to groundwater and surface waters across the state.
Click on each recommendation below to learn about state actions taken to address it.
Recommendations
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Broader regulatory oversight of OSTDS to ensure that those systems function properly, protect the environment against nutrient pollution and are protective of human health.
The Clean Waterways Act transferred the Onsite Sewage Program from the DOH to DEP to ensure protection of both human health and the environment, effective July 1, 2021.
Since the transfer, DEP has updated former DOH rules, incorporating task force recommendations.
- Revisions to Rules 62-6.004, .005, .009, .010, .0101, .012, .013, .014, and .025 F.A.C., became effective June 21, 2022. These amendments incorporated statutory changes, updated referenced standards, provided additional options for nutrient-reducing systems and clarified requirements.
- Revisions to Rule 62-6.001, F.A.C., became effective June 28, 2023. These amendments incorporated more stringent permitting requirements for OSTDS in areas where DEP has adopted an OSTDS remediation plan as part of a BMAP.
Senate Bill 1638 reinforced DEP’s authority to administer this program, and implementation is ongoing.
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Development by DEP of a comprehensive regulatory program to ensure that on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems, where appropriate, are sized, designed, constructed, installed, operated and maintained to prevent nutrient pollution, reduce environmental impact and preserve human health.
Since 2021, DEP has:
- Become administrator of the OSTDS program.
- Formed an OSTDS TAC to develop and provide recommendations related to requirements for the physical location of OSTDS and the marketplace availability and use of associated enhanced nutrient reducing technology.
- Completed OSTDS rulemaking.
- Ensured that in all BMAP areas, new septic systems may not be installed on lots of one acre or less where sewer is available or, where not available, new septic systems must have enhanced nutrient treatment or other wastewater treatment that achieves a nitrogen reduction of at least 65%.
- Required abandonment of existing conventional septic systems in the Indian River Lagoon BMAPs and the Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance Plan.
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Development and implementation of a septic system inspection and monitoring program with the goal of identifying improperly functioning and/or failing systems so corrective action can be taken to reduce nutrient pollution, negative environmental impacts and preserve human health.
The Clean Waterways Act required the development of remediation plans for septic systems where they contribute at least 20% of the nutrient pollution to a BMAP waterbody, or DEP determines remediation is necessary. With the July 1, 2025, BMAP updates, the BMAPs incorporate these plans and update policies to include water quality related requirements for growth, such as requiring nutrient reducing septic tanks.
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Broader adoption of the rule prohibiting permitting of new septic systems on lots of one acre or less in a priority focus area, within an Outstanding Florida Spring watershed, to protect other vulnerable areas across the state.
HB 1379 (2023) ensures that in all BMAP areas, including the totality of the springs BMAP areas, new septic systems may not be installed on lots of one acre or less where sewer is available or, where not available, new septic systems must have enhanced nutrient treatment or other wastewater treatment that achieves a nitrogen reduction of at least 65%.
Amendments to Rule 62-6.001, F.A.C. became effective on June 28, 2023 (2023 legislative ratification). These allow OSTDS permits for repairs or modifications of existing systems to incorporate requirements of local OSTDS remediation plans adopted as part of a BMAP for a nutrient TMDL.
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Legislation and funding to accelerate cost-effective septic to sewer programs with the aim of reducing nutrient pollution that leads to HABs.
Since 2019, more than $3.3 billion in state funding has been dedicated to the protection and restoration of our water resources.