LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County officials want to improve and protect natural waterways throughout their county.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
So they’re getting a new program off the ground that involves getting your septic tank out of the ground.
Commissioners announced Tuesday an initiative to help homeowners convert to sewer service.
READ: TS Harold makes landfall in Texas; TS Franklin to impact Haiti, Dominican Republic tonight
Residents may be eligible for funding to remove septic tanks from their yards and connect to the county’s wastewater treatment system.
The conversion process would involve the installation of a small, underground wastewater treatment unit on a homeowner’s property.
Residents would then be serviced by the county and pay a flat rate.
READ: Sheriff: Woman admits to strangling her son, 13, at their home near St. Cloud
The county said as long as funding is available, it would pay the initial costs for homeowners to hook up to the service.
After installation, residents would pay $660 annually, a cost that would be included in the home’s property tax assessment.
READ: Deputies search for man accused of sneaking into backyard of Seminole County home
Research by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found that septic tanks cause significant nutrient pollution to the state’s natural waterways, county officials said.
For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for the conversion program, click here.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.