Op-Ed in News Press

Op-Ed printed in News press Dec 6th -----

Many Lehigh Acres residents simply can't afford $17,500 to bring central water and sewer to their community. A recent suggestion by a state senator to opt for modern-day septic tanks over central sewer isn't the answer. While the cost of putting in new septic tanks at residences with malfunctioning systems would be less costly than central sewer, this would be a fragmented approach and while logical, offers no certainty that the existing pollution problems wouldn't simply resurface. A permanent, cohesive, long-term solution is needed.

The tough bullet to bite is the acknowledgement that a significant allocation of dollars from the county general fund or bonding the money must be earmarked annually to make central sewer affordable. Only by doing so will the state consider freeing up matching dollars, subsequently, lowering the property owners' burden.

Sure, modern septic systems would be a temporary improvement, but no oversight mechanism would stem the flow of bacteria from human waste leaching into the ground water and canals.

Funding a central sewer system is a key growth mechanism but making it reasonable for current homeowners and rate payers is the true key of good sound management.

ROBERT ANDERSON
Lehigh Acres


Oringinal Op-Ed Submitted to News-press ----

There’s no denying the fact that many, many Lehigh Acres residents simply can’t afford $17,500-plus to bring central water and sewer to their East Lee County community.

As county and state officials have learned, there are no simple solutions to the problem.A recent suggestion by state Senator to opt for modern-day septic tanks over central sewer isn’t the answer.While the cost of putting in new septic tanks at residences with currently malfunctioning systems would be less costly than central sewer, this would be a fragmented approach. That approach, while a logical suggestion, offers no certainty that the existing pollution problems wouldn’t simply resurface in years and decades to come.

A permanent, cohesive, long-term solution is needed.

The tough bullet to bite is the acknowledgement that a significant allocation of dollars from the county general fund or bonding the money must be earmarked annually to make central sewer affordable for Lehigh Acres citizens. Only by doing so will the state consider freeing up matching dollars thereby, subsequently, lowering the burden on property owners in the community.

Sure, modern septic systems would be a temporary improvement over many of the existing systems, but there’s no mechanism for oversight to stem the flow of bacteria from human waste leaching into the Lehigh Acres ground water and canal systems.

Were this Kansas, perhaps septic tanks would make sense. This is Lehigh Acres, where the water table is right under the earth’s surface.

It’s frustrating that the current situation — septic polluting the ground water and canal systems — has been realized for years yet corrective action remains uncertain. Add to that the fact that rapid growth and skyrocketing property values have brought a cash infusion to county government, and one wonders why bold steps have not been taken to solve the problem. Funding a central sewer system is a key growth mechanism but making it reasonable for current homeowners and rate payers is the true key of good sound management -- does the FGUA or the County have guts to step up to the table and talk -- so far the answer is no -- WHY?

Why did the News Paper the meaning ????????