CCP presented with draft design of sewer system
The Captiva Community Panel received an update during its recent meeting on a comprehensive engineering study being conducted on the possible implementation of a central sewer system.
On July 13, engineering firm Kimley-Horn presented the panel with a preliminary draft of its Captiva Central Sewer Study, which was funded with a $100,000 grant from Lee County. The study will develop the design and plan for converting all properties outside of the South Seas Island Resort from septic tanks to a new central sewer system, which will then connect to Sanibel’s existing system.
The project will have to be considered and supported by property owners for implementation.
At the meeting, Doug Eckmann of Kimley-Horn provided an overview of the conceptual design and infrastructure that would be installed for the proposed Village, ‘Tween Waters and Estates service areas.
He explained that the Village area, due to its high density, works best with a conventional gravity system. Eckmann reported that wastewater would flow to the lift stations using gravity, with a possible site for a new lift station being adjacent to or within the existing drain field for the Bubble Room.
He continued that the Sunset Captiva area currently uses a gravity system with a lift station. The existing lift station flow would be redirected to a new main line running along Captiva Drive.
“That will be the backbone of our system, if you will,” he said of the new line.
Eckmann noted that other areas also lend themselves better to a gravity system. As part of the conceptual design, a new second lift station would be installed in the area of The Green Flash and Jensen’s. At that point, a pressurized grinder pump system would be utilized proceeding south.
He continued that ‘Tween Waters currently uses a gravity system, with a wastewater plant and lift station. The station would be upgraded to utility grade standards and connected to the main line. From there, the design would continue down Captiva Drive, with properties being connected to the line.
Eventually, the system would end up at the Turner Beach lift station, which Sanibel owns.
“They would increase the capacity of this lift station to address the wastewater from Captiva,” Eckmann said, referring to the city. “From here, the system becomes part of the Sanibel system.”
Following the presentation, panel members asked questions about the design.
One question centered on the potential disruption to the island during the construction. He explained how the project would be done in phases to reduce that, adding that the roads would be passable.
Another question dealt with an estimated timeline for the work.
Eckmann reported that Kimley-Horn was involved with the installation of the sewers on Marco Island, which was a much larger project than what is being proposed for Captiva. It took five years to finish.
“Conceivably, the construction could be completed in a year with careful planning, with everything going well,” he said.
One question asked why a gravity system would be used for some areas but not others.
“Where you can conveniently and where it’s economical, we think a gravity system is preferable because it’s got less moving parts, and you’ve got more resiliency from like a power outage,” Eckmann said, noting that a grinder could be used but gravity is more cost effective with less maintenance.
He added that Sanibel utilizes gravity where it can and grinder pumps where it cannot.
“So the system we’re presenting here is consistent with what Sanibel had done with their utility expansion,” Eckmann said. “It’s a collection system that they’re used to dealing with and that they decided works best for them, so we’ve sort of followed that model.”
Another question focused on STEP systems and why they were not used in the design.
“A STEP system is very similar to a grinder pump system, except for one big difference,” he said, explaining that a property retains its septic tank for the collection of solids with a STEP system.
“That mean you have to clean out that septic tank just like you do now, like every five years or 10 years,” Eckmann said. “The grinder pump is like an industrial, heavy duty garbage disposal.”
He noted that a grinder pumps liquids and solids.
“So you don’t need to keep the septic tank,” Eckmann said. “That’s the key difference.”
Asked if the use of STEP could reduce the project’s cost, he did not think so. Eckmann explained that communities utilize them to lower the processing done by a plant, but that Sanibel has the capacity.
“I don’t see that the benefits of a STEP system apply to Captiva. That doesn’t mean that they don’t apply to other communities, but on Captiva I don’t see it,” he said, noting that the tanks also must stay. “With STEP you have to have the solids periodically removed. This system eliminates that forever.”
One question floated what happens in 15 or 20 years if South Seas wants to be added.
“We have considered that,” Eckmann said, explaining that the design allows for it to connect.
To view the Kimley-Horn presentation, click CAPTIVA CENTRAL SEWER STUDY.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz provided an update on the panel’s proposed Captiva Land Development Code and ordinance amendments. The county’s LDC advisory committee voted unanimously on July 9 to support and approve the changes that the panel proposed, he said.
The same amendments were scheduled to go before the county’s executive regulatory oversight committee on July 14, and they will be presented to the county’s local planning agency on July 26. If also supported, the changes will go before the Lee County Commission for two public hearings.
“It’s a slow process, but we’re making headway,” he said.
– The panel held an initial network discussion with a team from Verizon as a result of recent concerns from community members about the provider’s spotty or even nonexistent cell coverage on Captiva. Multiple panel members provided insight and shared personal experiences about having service issues.
The Verizon team will be working with the panel to try and improve coverage for the island.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email