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Wastewater

 NEW Wastewater Report

Click HERE to read a report on the status of the wastewater treatment facilities in Alachua County. The report includes photos, brief permit descriptions, and the results of ACEPD inspections. The graphs focus on nutrient concentrations in the treated effluent, as they are one of the threats to the quality of our water resources.  

 

ACEPD Wastewater Program

The Alachua County Wastewater Code gives authority to the county to conduct inspections and sample effluent from the 19 wastewater plants  (click to see a map) operating under permits issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in Alachua County.  Eight of these plants are municipal plants and the remaining 11 are smaller plants (also called package plant) located at mobile home parks, apartment complexes, hotels, and schools.  ACEPD performs routine inspections, including effluent sampling, and then sends the results to the plant owners and FDEP.  

Treated effluent (or reclaimed water) from the wastewater facilities recharges the aquifer via spray irrigation, perculation ponds, or deep well injection or is discharged directly to surface waters.  The municipal plants in the cities of Alachua and Gainesville and the University of Florida facility have re-use programs for piping the treated water so it can be re-used for uses such as irrigation. Re-use is becoming a more atttactive option as water shortages are becoming more common. 

 

Septic Systems

Septic systems are also called onsite treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) and are regulated by the Alachua County Health Department.  To obtain a permit for proposed installations, repairs, modifications, and approvals of existing system contact their office at 352-374-5243.

 To increase the efficiency of your septic system (and protect water quality) you can:

  • Have it inspected by a liscensed professional every 2-3 years
  • Always pump your system when recommeded by a professional
  • Never put grease down the drain
  • Bring household chemicals to the Hazardous Waste Collection Center instead of pouring them down the drain
  • Use water efficiently
  • Upgrade to a performance based treatment system with drip irrigation
  • Learn more tips about your septic system





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Grease Busters!

Always put cooking grease in a container and put it in the trash- pouring it down your drain can cause sewage spills.

Report Wastewater Spills to GRU 352-334-2711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Based Treamtent Systems (PBTS) are designed to reduce nutrient levels and can reduce environmental impacts.

Check out this DOH document comparing PBTS- complete with vendor websites.

This website is a public service. Please read the Legal Disclaimer. Website designed and engineered by Alachua County ITS.Applications Division Version 2010 (v1.0)

Under Florida law (Statute 119.011), all information, including e-mail, written letters, documents and phone messages, sent to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners is subject to Public Records law. This includes the sender's e-mail address, home address or phone number if shown in the message, the content of the message and any associated attachments to the mail. Also please be aware that electronic correspondence (e-mail) is made available on the Commission's public archive site immediately upon being sent. Instead, contact Alachua County Offices by phone or in writing.