Haines City Mandates Water System Hookup

HAINES CITY | City commissioners Thursday unanimously approved an ordinance that will require any residents in the city limits currently using a well to hook up to the city water system.

City Public Works Director Ronnie Cotton said the move would affect eight residences/businesses in the city limits.

"State statute 180 allows mandatory connections," Cotton said, adding that the city has debt associated with the city's water and sewer systems and that resident bills are one way that debt service is guaranteed.

"The city has incurred indebtedness to expand and maintain the central water system. The bond covenants and city code prohibit free service," Cotton said.

Cotton said residents who have wells could still use the wells, but only for irrigation.

The city will pay for water lines to be run to a homeowner's property line, if the water line is within 200 feet of the property, and the homeowner will have to pay for the line to be run to the house.

According to the ordinance, the fees for a water tap and meter on a five-eights-inch- and three-quarter-inch tap is $285, and the cost for a meter only is $155. The cost for a one-inch tap and meter is $370, and the meter only is $240.

There will also be a $20 fee to establish a new account with the city.

Residents would have to connect to city water within 60 days of its being available.

Cotton said the city has made provisions for people to pay the fees in installments if there is a financial hardship.

Cotton also said that any resident still using a septic tank would be required to hook up to city sewer if that septic tank failed.

"Once it fails, they won't be able to get a permit from the county Health Department for a new septic tank. They will have to hook up to city sewer," Cotton said.

Cotton also said no new wells would be allowed to be drilled for residential use except for landscaping or irrigation purposes.

Cotton said the mandatory hookup is to protect the health and safety of residents.

He said the mandatory connection will help prevent contamination by any cross connections, which will no longer be allowed.

Cotton also said the policy will prevent any overpumping of wells.

Mayor Roy Tyler pointed out the city provides fire protection to the properties with wells and that it is only fair that those residents contribute to the costs of that service.

Commissioner Philip Hinkle agreed and said it was the responsibility of the residents with wells to pay their fair share of the costs.

"They have an ethical and moral responsibility to do so," Hinkle said.

The ordinance took effect Thursday night on second reading.

[ Amber Smith can be reached at amber.smith@theledger.com or 863-422-6800. ]