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City manager says Perry will add dental-amalgam language to sewer-use ordinance at next meeting
Summary
Staff told the council the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires cities to include dental-amalgam handling language in sewer-use ordinances; the city is awaiting template language from DEP and will return with an amendment at a future meeting.
City staff told the City of Perry City Council the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires local sewer-use ordinances to address dental amalgam from dental offices and that the city will bring a short ordinance amendment once template language is received.
John (city manager) explained that dental amalgam—fillings that can contain silver, mercury and copper—must be addressed in local sewer ordinances because it is a heavy metal and municipal wastewater permits include metal limits. He said the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provided or offered a template and staff is waiting to receive the exact wording to insert into Perry’s sewer-use ordinance.
Staff said the change is procedural and intended to require dental offices that use amalgam to install and maintain an appropriate trap or separator so metals are not discharged to the sewer system. The city manager said the wastewater plant is not currently out of compliance for metals and the amendment is to satisfy DEP requirements. He asked councilmembers to expect a short paragraph amendment at a subsequent meeting; no deadline was given.
Councilmembers asked whether new dental offices would be subject to the rule; staff confirmed new or existing offices that use amalgam would be covered and would be informed during permitting or business licensing processes.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with draft language for council consideration.
