HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-93-0060CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA T
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INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM ` 1 A
ro: Honorable Mayor and Members BATE. January 26, 1993 F;LE.
of the City Commission
Sewer Connection
SUFUECT Moratorium Within
Central Wastewater
Treatment District
F"OV, : C e s (Ak."
0 d i o REFERENCES
City Manager
ENCLOSURES.
We have recently learned that Metropolitan Dade County will soon
impose a moratorium on new sewer connections within the Central
Wastewater Treatment District due to inadequate capacities within
the system. Included in the Central District are the cities of
Miami, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Springs, Coral Gables,
South Miami and Sweetwater.
The City has not received any official notice from the various
regulatory agencies, but we have verbally verified that this
action is imminent. Depending on how far the restrictions will
go, this action will have a devastating effect on the building
industry and economy of our City, virtually bringing all new
construction to a halt. Some have stated that the restrictions
may go as far as prohibiting the connections of existing homes
with failing septic tank and drainfield systems.
A meeting chaired by County Manager Joaquin Avino will be held on
January 27, 1993 at 11:00 a.m. in Room A on the 29th floor of the
Metro -Dade Administration Building, 111 NW First Street, to
inform all interested persons and municipalities of the pending
restrictions. City staff will be attending this meeting to
obtain information which would assist in formulating a course of
action for the City.
93- 60
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Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commission
Cesar H. Odto
City Manager
uN.II January 28, 1993 fill
Sur+.II c:i January 27, 1993 Meeting
Summary Sanitary Sewer
Restrictions
i I It :i 01,11 It it S
On January 27, 1993 a meeting regarding restrictions to new
sewer connections was held by Metropolitan Dade County which was
chaired by County Manager Joaquin Avino with principle support:
from John Renfrow, D.E.R.M. Director, Jorge Rodriguez, Deputy
Director of Miami -Dade W'.A.S.A.D. and Anthony Clemente,
Assistant County Manager. In attendance were representatives
from several affected municipalities and utilities, Including
for the City of Miami Commissioner Mlrlam Alonso, Assistant City
Managers Waldemar E. Lee and Sergio Rodriguez and Deputy City
Attorney Raphael Diaz.
The stated objective of the meeting was to Inform the
municipalities and utilities of the current status of the
restrictions on new sanitary sewer connections within critical
areas of Dade County (see attached map). The support and
cooperation of the municipalities during this initial phase of
restrictions was requested by the County Manager.
The basic problem was outlined as a Iack of capacity In the
Central District sanitary sewer Interceptor system Including the
mainland Fragler Interceptor, Interceptor pump station and the
subaqueous bay crossing to Virginia Key. This lack of capacity
has been much publicized by recent pipeline failures, sewage
overflows to the Miami River, and a Federal Grand Jury Report.
The State of Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
(D.E.R.) has required that Dade County not allow any new sewage
flow Into the system until the problem is resolved. Although
these resolutions are currently underway, completion I: not
expected In less than three to four years. In an effort to
avoid an all out "moratorium", Dade County Is attempting to
negotiate a deblt/credit approach with the State D.E.R., which
would allow new flows to be added as Improvements to the system
are completed. An example of such an Improvement would be the
repair of old leaking sewer lines Infiltrating groundwater Into
the sewer system. After verification of actual groundwater flow
reduction, a like amount of new sewer capacity would be
allocated to new connections.
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Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commis''`on
Dade County staff could not respond to every condition and
situation due to the need for mrre clarification from the D.E.R.
However, the following iIst of conditions represents the final
consensus at this meeting, but may be adjusted somewhat in the
coming weeks depending on County negotiations with the D.E.R.:
1. Connections of existing buildings to existing
sanitary sewer lines would not be permitted except
In the case of septic tank/dralnfieid failure.
2. No redevelopment of existing properties would be
allowed to connect to sanitary sewers unless the
proposed sewer flows would be equal to or less than
the existing use.
3. New development on vacant property would not be
allowed to connect to the sanitary sewer system.
Dade County D.E.R.M. will consider alternate forms of sewage
treatment on a case by case review which could a 1 i ow some new
development and/or redevelopment within the City using Interim
septic tanks or treatment plants,
The above listed restrictions were In effect as of December 27,
199Z and apparently, at least, partially in effect for several
days prior to that date. Even if the debit/credit approach Is
accepted by the State D.E.R. a significant period of time will
be required before any substantial flow reduction credits could
be expected.
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