Town of Oakland commission adopts OSTDS remediation plan, staff outlines $55.5M septic-to-sewer strategy

TOWN OF OAKLAND — The Town of Oakland Commission on a consensus vote approved an on‑site sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS) remediation plan required under state Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) rules, following presentations from Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials, town staff and consultants.

Mayor Shane Taylor and town officials heard a DEP briefing from Ken Weaver, deputy director in the division of environmental assessment and restoration, who said BMAPs translate total maximum daily load (TMDL) targets into local projects and milestones. Weaver told the commission the Lake Apopka BMAP has a total nutrient reduction target of about 108,258 pounds per year and that, in the documents he reviewed, "we're 98% of the way there" for that lake’s overall reduction target.

The plan adopted by the commission pairs DEP expectations with a local inventory and project list compiled by town staff and private consultants. Consultant Tucker Hunter said the team used Department of Health parcel data to identify 905 parcels with permitted on‑site sewage systems inside town limits, six parcels that have already converted to central sewer and an additional 19 conversions that were not in the initial inventory. The consultant group presented a prioritized map of eight work areas targeting connections and upgrades.

Consultants estimated the capital cost to eliminate the identified septic tanks at roughly $55.5 million, excluding impact fees charged by receiving utilities. Hunter said breaking larger projects into roughly $4 million segments would make them more competitive for grants and easier to manage. The team estimated an average construction cost per lot of about $62,000 for full sewer connection and roughly $18,000 per system for an enhanced nutrient‑reducing OSTDS (ENR). "Those are the full construction cost estimates," Hunter said during the presentation.

DEP staff described the regulatory context and enforcement posture. "These plans are enforceable," Weaver said, but later clarified that while penalties are possible under statute, the agency focuses on demonstrated progress and has not been using heavy enforcement in areas that are participating. Weaver said OSTDS (septic systems) are often the largest single source of nitrogen in spring watersheds — citing a Wekiwa Springs estimate of about 1.2 million pounds of nitrogen a year with roughly 52% from OSTDS — and that where OSTDS contribute more than 20% of a load, DEP and responsible entities need OSTDS remediation plans.

Town staff discussed local policy and funding tools. Mike Parker, the town's public works director, said the town already enforces an ordinance that requires property owners to connect to central sewer within one year of a sewer line becoming active or pay a base fee; he said staff is considering tightening that ordinance to compel connection and that the town has set a placeholder of $200,000 in an upcoming work plan to help with impact and connection fees. "If the sewer line was installed and made active today," Parker said, "they have 1 year to either connect or pay the base fee." He added the town will continue to pursue state grant programs and other funding sources to limit the burden on residents.

Consultants and staff cited recent local projects funded with state and federal assistance: Bradley Avenue (about $3.5 million) and a Hall Avenue project (about $1.5 million), both described as fully funded so residents did not pay direct connection costs. Officials encouraged the commission to continue applying for Springs grants, water‑quality improvement grants and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Adoption of the OSTDS remediation plan was taken by consensus after discussion; staff said they will refine project entries in the DEP portal, finalize cost estimates and report progress in the statewide STAR report. The plan lays out a path to meet phased milestone reductions (for example, targets such as 30% by 2028, 80% by 2033 and 100% by 2038 were discussed for some watersheds), and staff advised commissioners that implementation will be phased and reliant on grant funding, developer participation and future sewer extensions.

The commission thanked Parker and staff for the work on the plan; no roll‑call vote was recorded in the transcript. Staff said they will return with more detailed project-credit information and continue to seek grant funding to limit resident costs.

What happens next: staff will complete DEP portal entries and report back with the town's verified project credits and updated cost breakdowns for commission review and grant applications.