Flush Florida septic inspection law

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15508141/...new-spetic-law




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NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, FloridaCollier hoping to flush septic inspection law



Collier hoping to flush septic inspection law

Posted: Sep 20, 2011 4:34 PM EDT Updated: Sep 20, 2011 5:57 PM EDT By Saundra Weathers, NBC2 Reporter - email




A Florida law recently passed requires Florida residents who use a septic system to shell out hundreds of dollars in cash for inspections. But Collier County leaders are asing state law makers to repeal it.
Lee McCaskey uses a septic tank at his home and he thinks the new septic tank inspection law stinks.
"You have to pay a rather high fee to have the system inspected and approved by someone who claims to be or have authority on the subject," he said.
The law, approved by the legislature last year, requires residents to have their septic systems inspected every five years.
"If the system is set up properly from day one, you'll never have to touch it," McCaskey said.
But the new law doesn't exclude septic systems - good or bad.
"I think the law is poorly written as it is," said McCaskey.
Poorly written or a total rip off is how many people have many described it - including county leaders.
"I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel on this and we definitely do not have to cause residents any financial harm," said Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta.
Though it may cause financial harm for some, lawmakers originally put the law on the books to help protect spring waters - something Coletta says isn't a problem in Collier.

And, he says, it's certainly not a good reason for residents to shell out hundreds of dollars.
"It would be a private contractor. He would charge you a fee and if there was something wrong with your septic system, real or imaginary, you would have no recourse," he said.
No recourse, meaning no second opinion and potentially a big bill.
"You don't have the ability according to law to get a second opinion or even a third opinion," said McCaskey.
County leaders say they plan to do all they can to put an end to this law by asking for a repeal. Until then, residents like McCaskey will have to just have to wait and see.

[Leonard Inkster]

Truly, the law is an A S S

[Jeff Tatlock]

This law is on hold with plenty of opposition, including the govenor.

http://www.libertyflorida.org/?p=525

[Ralph A. Schade]

A number of rural Ontario home inspectors are inspecting septics by opening the lid and draining a full tub, thereby watching for fluctuations in effluent levels. Also they evaluate the baffles and watch for any anomalies in the weeping bed. Opinions?
Personally, I don't do them and refer my clients to a septic tech.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I expect some one is going to get a big surprise . I also see some Ontario Homies are doing well testing , some have taken a one day course . The well testers no my area did two years to become qualified .
We do not do wells or septic , leave them to those who are qualified to do... Roy Cooke

[Greg Bell]

This is a law that should be enforced. Who knows how many septic systems we have that don't work as intended anymore. I know one homeowner who just cut the drain pipe so that the system would flush into his yard instead of backing up into the house.

[Wand Raymond]

One must be licenced to inspect wells by Ministry of Environment, as well as with septics.


Here is one inspector who makes claims that don't hold much credibility.

If you are in a rural area and do not have the convenience of municipal sewer systems but must rely on a septic system, we will visually inspect the system for deterioration or damage to the tank and clogging of the weeping field before we recommend a clean out.

1. How do you visually inspect a system for deterioration without pumping the tank? Duh.

2. How do you visually inspect the weeping field for clogging (you can have several runs clogged without any clues) Duh.

Let the licenced septic pumper pump the tank and look for damage and comment on sludge and scum levels, baffles, and tank.

Draining a bathtub full of water is not going to tell ya much if anything.

[Ralph A. Schade]

I agree Roy. The homies doing this are catering to the agent's desire to keep things simple. I know that they find the odd tank that's fubared or metal but I woudn't want to be the one that missed things because the tank wasn't pumped out and properly inspected by a "qualified" tech.

[Ralph A. Schade]

Originally Posted by gbell

This is a law that should be enforced. Who knows how many septic systems we have that don't work as intended anymore. I know one homeowner who just cut the drain pipe so that the system would flush into his yard instead of backing up into the house.

Bet he has a nice lawn!

[Greg Bell]

Home inspectors in Florida are not allowed to inspect the septic system.

[Ralph A. Schade]

Ray, not being argumentative, but where is it stipulated that one "must" be licenced by the MOE to inspect septics? Although I refuse to do them, I have a close friend that likes to claim that I'm an idiot because I don't. I tell him that he's an idiot because he does!

[Wand Raymond]

Good question

1. One must be licenced to pump septic tanks.

2. Installers must also be licenced.

3. Since only a licenced pumper can pump septic tanks and repair, and one should pump the tank in order to inspect the tank, baffles, lids, sludge and scum levels, pumps if installed only his report is valid as being acceptable under law.

4. A home inspector who is not licenced and is providing a report or supposing to be qualified is at the very least negligent misrepresentation and further without a licence is implying he is licenced and qualified which is a big misnomer.

Simply put one can not successfully inspect the septic system without pumping.

See page 6 (bottom right)
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...rgtN2pvB3mezuA

Anyone in the business of installing, repairing, emptying, cleaning or servicing septic systems must be licensed by the
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Licensed installers must have qualified personnel supervising all projects. Pumpers are licensed in Ontario by the Ministry of the Environment.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...N4lOEO8rrpt37w

•= The OBC sets the requirements for certification of septics inspectors
and installers. In the case of installers, the firm must obtain a license
and a key condition for obtaining a license is that a designated person
must pass a MMAH exam. Inspectors must also pass an exam.

I trust this helps clarify your question.

[Ralph A. Schade]

It certainly does. Thanks Ray!