Captiva panel learns early estimates for central sewer
The Captiva Community Panel received an update on the potential septic-to-sewer project for the island, including rough estimates for building the system’s infrastructure, at its recent meeting.
On Nov. 9, panel President Jay Brown reported that engineering firm Kimley-Horn has basically completed the design and cost estimates for the wastewater collection system’s elements. The cost to Captiva has been estimated at about $18 million. He continued that there is still a lot to do, however, before a MSTU proposal could be developed and presented to property owners for their approval.
Brown cited two projects that Sanibel is conducting: one to determine what changes would need to be made to the city’s system to bring Captiva on board and the other to figure out the financials, like the access fee. Captiva also would still need to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city and county.
In a presentation, Doug Eckmann with Kimley-Horn provided the potential costs for demolishing the existing wastewater treatment plants and installing central sewer for properties outside of the South Seas Island Resort. The design will entail a method for the resort to connect in the future, if it wishes.
The package plants at ‘Tween Waters, Captiva Shores and Sunset Captiva would be removed.
“These costs are my rough estimates. They’re unconfirmed. They’re conservative approximations,” Eckmann said, adding that he did build into the figures a 20 percent contingency for flexibility.
The project’s main component is installing a force main using directional drilling, versus opening up Captiva Drive, from south of South Seas to the Turner Beach lift station for about $2.27 million.
“The collection systems from individual properties will connect to that, say, central pipeline,” he said.
The ‘Tween Waters and Estates areas are best served by a pressure system, which connects to the main. At a cost of about $6.87 million, it involves 209 properties and includes dealing with the old septics.
Eckmann noted that the areas served by an existing package plant were calculated differently.
“Because they don’t have individual septic tanks,” he said.
The Village area is better served by a gravity system. Involving 267 individual properties, they will connect to side streets that connect to the main — with two new lift stations — for about $6.8 million.
In terms of project funding, past President and current Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz noted that the county has over $40 million set aside for water quality and infrastructure.
“And our project is probably farther ahead than any other project in Lee County in terms of close to final design and completion,” he said. “So that’s a very important factor for us.”
Mintz also pointed to some state funding for septic-to-sewer conversion and the federal government’s recent passing of the infrastructure bill, which includes $55 billion for water-related infrastructure.
“Our project happens to be timed at a perfect place. It’s sort of a perfect storm for available funding for these kinds of projects,” he said. “So we’re hoping that we can tap into that.”
In addition, Brown reported that he and Mintz met with the new owners of South Seas about its possible participation in the project. They had also met with Florida Governmental Utility Authority, whose plant now serves their resort, and decided to remain status quo for the foreseeable future.
“As we move forward now, South Seas it out of the picture,” Brown said. “I doesn’t look like they’re going to be part of the plan in the near-term.”
IN OTHER NEWS
– In his Captiva Code and Ordinance Committee update, Mintz suggested the panel wait on pushing forward its recommendation on a golf cart ordinance. He explained that the South Seas owners plan to transition the resort from gas-powered to electric carts in conjunction with Captiva rental companies.
Mintz recommended waiting to see how that plays out, then amend the draft ordinance as needed.
Panel Member Bob Walter, who is employed at South Seas, spoke on the topic.
“Environmentally-speaking, it’s a great way to go,” he said, noting that gas-powered carts are also known to have safety issues. “We’re excited.”
Walter explained that the carts will have geo-fencing, which will allow the resort to put restrictions on their use. For example, they cannot be driven onto the golf course in the middle of the night or if an underage driver is seen operating a cart, the resort can track down the family and take care of the issue.
He continued that the resort is going to build the infrastructure for cart charging stations and is encouraging the homeowners associations to consider installing a station within their area.
“We’re committed 110 percent to moving in that direction,” Walter said. “It’s the the right thing to do.”
– Brown reported that he reached out to a new group called the Captiva Concerned Citizens, which is hoping to develop guidelines for rental properties. He extended the panel’s support if the group needs it.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email