AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 20, “UTILITIES,” ARTICLE III, “WATER AND WASTEWATER REGULATIONS,” SECTION 20-35, “TYPE AND MAINTENANCE,” IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR MAINTENANCE COMPLIANCE OF PRIVATE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO PREVENT INFLOW AND INFILTRATION INTO THE SYSTEM. (SECOND READING)(PUBLIC HEARING)
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BACKGROUND:
This item was approved on First Reading at the May 8, 2025, City Commission Meeting.
Private water and wastewater infrastructure located within the City and connected to the City’s water and wastewater systems must be properly maintained in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
The City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 20-35, titled “Type and maintenance,” outlines the standards and responsibilities for the maintenance of private water and wastewater systems. In line with these requirements, the City is committed to ensuring that private property owners properly maintain their water and wastewater infrastructure.
To safeguard public health and safety and protect the integrity of the City’s water and wastewater systems, private owners are required to certify that their systems are functioning as designed and are maintained in accordance with applicable standards.
DISCUSSION:
Poorly maintained wastewater infrastructure can lead to environmental contamination caused by leaks and can result in higher treatment and maintenance costs due to increased flow volumes. A primary factor contributing to these issues is inflow and infiltration (I&I), where groundwater, surface water, or stormwater enters the wastewater collection system.
To address these concerns and better protect the integrity of the City’s wastewater system, staff recommends amendments to Section 20-35 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The proposed changes will allow the City to verify that private water and wastewater infrastructure is being properly maintained in accordance with established standards.
Under the recommended changes, property owners would be required to provide documentation reviewed and certified by a Florida-licensed professional engineer, confirming that their water and wastewater systems and all associated components are functioning as designed. In addition, property owners would be expected to maintain records of inspections and maintenance activities, which would be subject to review by the City upon request.
Staff also recommends including language allowing the City to require the installation of wastewater flow meters in certain cases. These meters would be used to monitor wastewater to water use ratios and assist in identifying potential I&I issues.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A