Septic repair tanker trucks could be more common in coastal cities, due to the climate crisis.
There are counties in the area that are already working to eliminate all their septic systems in the next decade.ย Martin County,ย for example, has about 10,000 systems left to replace. The county is sharing the cost with residents.
New developments there have to be connected to sewer lines. That's not the case in Miami-Dade County, where there are still new developments being built on septic. Miami-Dade County Commissionerย Sosaย is introducing legislation to change that.
Sosa has serious concerns about how much this septic system problem will cost her constituents. She has worked with the governor to get funding. She also hopes to get more information to the public about the issue.
"How do we fix this? It's not easy," said Sosa.
Even if people have the money, if they live miles from closest sewer connection it may not even be possible to connect,ย Sosa said, so the area will have to come up with alternatives, like elevating some systems.
"We have to act and we have to act with speed," Sosa said. "But if we don't get funding assistance it's going to be impossible to do."
Politically, Sosa said it may be hard to find the money for this, but, she said the county's future depends on it.
"We don't need people saying 'We don't go to Miami-Dade County, because look at the problems they have with the sewer system. Look at the contamination we have with the drinking water,' " Sosa said. "It's of an incredible importance. The drinking water and the safety and health of the people, that has no price."
