Jacksonville Could Get $6M From State Budget For Septic Tank Phase Outs

Jacksonville could get $ 6 million from the state to cover the cost of exiting septic tanks if lawmaker and Governor Ron DeSantis sign this year’s state budget as proposed.

That money, tied to HB 2793 by Republican Cord Byrd (R-Jacksonville), is one of many items in the proposed record $ 101.5 billion budget that lawmakers are due to vote on Friday.

These government funds are specifically earmarked for the Beverly Hills neighborhood northwest of downtown Jacksonville.

It adds $ 14.4 million in new city funding approved by the city council in March and another $ 12.5 million from JEA, according to WJCT News partner The Florida Times-Union.

City Council President Tommy Hazouri has also passed legislation that would allow the city to invest an additional $ 100 million in septic tank exits if a proposed local option gas tax is approved.

Florida has an estimated 2.6 million septic tanks and Duval County has approximately 65,000. JEA has estimated that it would cost more than $ 2.1 billion to provide all of these sewer services for homeowners in Jacksonville.

Aging septic tanks conduct nutrients into the groundwater and are considered to be a major driver of toxic algal blooms. The harmful effects of septic tanks are compounded by climate change and rising sea levels.

The proposed state budget also includes $ 600,000 for wells and septic tank exits in American Beach, Nassau County, and $ 300,000 for a St. Augustine septic tank drainage program. The budget also includes more than $ 100 million in grants to help local governments and non-governmental agencies improve sewage and rainwater, including septic tank conversion and rehabilitation.

Once approved by the legislature, Governor Ron DeSantis would have to sign the budget.

Brendan Rivers can be reached at [email protected], 904-358-6396 or on Twitter at @BrendanRivers.

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