LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) – Leon County has awarded nearly $60 million in county, state and federal funds to protect the county’s water quality. They are now working to provide sewer access to the 1,500 properties in south Tallahassee currently served by septic systems.
On Thursday, Tallahassee Mayor John Daly committed an additional $10 million as part of the Southside Action Plan to provide sewer services to homes and businesses.
This plan aims to increase access to basic public services, help support growth in the South and protect local waterways.
“Intentionally or not, it’s been neglected, and some of the amenities that we see in the more affluent parts of the city also appeal to residents on this side, they want to enjoy the same privileges,” Hall said.
Al Hall is president of Tillman’s Funeral Home.
For 10 years, Hall tried to get the city to improve this area of the Southside, including eliminating septic tanks.
“We don’t want to be on a septic system here. We need to use full water, a platform supported by city utilities. And period.”
Now city and county officials are looking to expand access to municipal sewer, water and wastewater services for hundreds of homes and businesses in the area.
The project is expected to cost about $10 million. This is money that has already been approved and allocated for projects like this from the 2022-2023 city budget.
They plan, design and build the infrastructure needed for homes and businesses to transition from septic tanks to sewers. The county will then cover the connection costs for anyone who wants to switch.
Tallahassee Mayor John Daly believes getting out of septic tanks can help support community growth. “We’re taking the necessary steps to extend the proper infrastructure to the edge of city services that will attract businesses. It will attract residents to be able to come down.”
The project will also help protect the environment. When cleaning septic tanks, they can often leak. This wastewater can flow into local waterways such as Munson Lake or the Wakulla Springs Basin.
County Chairman Bill Proctor says eliminating the process is a win for everyone involved. “Lay the pipes, it’s free, and we want to protect the sanitation of the entire region and the basins for our lake, for our springs and for what we drink.”
The matter is expected to be discussed at the regular meeting of the city commission on October 12. The council will ask staff to bring back a study of utilities in the area and what they can do for planning, design and construction.
