CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GETTING READ TO EXPLORE OPTIONS TO DEAL WITH FAILING SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT ARE SENDING POLLUTION INTO WATERWAYS. COMMISSIONERS SCRAPPED PLANS FOR A $400 MILLION DOLLAR SEWER EXPANSION FOR 18,000 LOTS IN A PART OF PORT CHARLOTTE BACK IN APRIL, BUT NOW THEY WANT TO SEE IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH A BETTER, LESS EXPENSIVE PLAN. THE AREA BEING DISCUSSED IS KNOWN AS AREA ONE, WHICH IS SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 776 AND U S 41 TO THE PEACE RIVER. MANY PROPERTY OWNERS SPOKE UP ABOUT THE ESTIMATED COST OF MORE THAN $13,000 DOLLARS PER UNIT AND A LACK OF PUBLIC INPUT IN THE PROCESS. COMMISSIONERS KNOW THEY CAN’T WAIT MUCH LONGER BECAUSE OF POLLUTION ISSUES, AND THEY’VE INSTRUCTED STAFF TO SEEK STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT. ABOUT 2400 LOTS WOULD BE AFFECTED, WITH MOST BEING SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSTALLED BEFORE 1983.
