JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville and JEA are making progress on their “Septic Tank Phaseout” program, with three major projects now completed.
RELATED: Residents grateful to see progress in Jacksonville’s septic tank phaseout program
Meanwhile, the latest phase targets the Christobel and Riverview neighborhoods, which could affect nearly 3,000 parcels combined.
JEA and the city have successfully converted neighborhoods like Biltmore and Beverly Hills East and West to city sewer systems. The focus is now on Christobel and Riverview, two neighborhoods prone to flooding.
These areas were chosen because septic tanks in flood-prone regions can leak harmful nutrients into the St. Johns River and its tributaries, damaging water quality.
Residents like Braxton Fossett are looking forward to the change, calling the program, which not only improves the environment but can also enhance the quality of life for residents, a “great idea.”
“The connection to the system is completely free; you don’t pay for the work on private property or any associated fees,” Greg Corcoran, JEA’s Manager of Community Relations, explained.
Construction on Christobel is slated for the fall or winter of 2025, with a project cost of $41.2 million. The process includes installing sewer lines in streets, connecting individual homes, and abandoning existing septic tanks.
For the program to move forward, 70% of residents in a neighborhood must agree to the conversion. Christobel has met that threshold, while Riverview is still in the outreach phase, with 53% participation.
With more than 2,400 parcels affected, the Riverview project is expected to be one of the largest under the septic tank phaseout program, and city leaders are optimistic about reaching the 70% mark needed to begin construction.
To assist residents, JEA opened a Septic Tank Phase Out office off Edgewood Avenue West in Northwest Jacksonville to better educate customers and help them sign up for the program.
Corcoran notes that the project will bring long-term benefits to the neighborhood.
“Businesses and developers will see these communities with brand new JEA sewer service, making them more attractive for investment and development,” he said.
Due to the scale of the project in Riverview, it will be broken into six phases. Once complete, it is expected to boost economic development in the area.
If your home has a septic tank, it’s not necessarily problematic unless you’re in a flood-prone area targeted for phaseout. These neighborhoods are being prioritized due to the number of failing septic systems, their proximity to water and frequent flooding.