JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville and JEA have committed to pump in millions of dollars to finally pump out septic tanks in three local neighborhoods.
Construction is already under way in the Biltmore community.
It’s been a long time coming too.
“Oh, that’s great, that is great,” said Lili Ghent who lives in the Beverly Hills neighborhood on the Northside.
Ghent’s late husband was a plumber, so she knows first-hand how tough it is to maintain a septic tank.
“I just think it’s a good idea I really do,” said Ghent.
Her neighbor across the street, Jo Anne Bell, agreed.
“If it’s going to be an improvement with the safety and the environment, quality of the water, yes I agree with that perfectly,” said Bell.
JEA said construction will begin in Beverly Hills West in March, Beverly Hills East is in design and the project the Christobel neighborhood hasn’t started yet.
Action News Jax told you back in 2019 how the city started in the Biltmore neighborhood but ran out of money.
“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and challenges that can occur in projects of this magnitude our funding ran out and we didn’t complete the project,” said Mayor Lenny Curry.
But now there’s a renewed commitment.
The city is investing $14.3 million and JEA is putting in another $12.5 million but this is only a small piece of a major project.
“Over 30 neighborhoods that are still waiting on this government to fulfill those promises, this work in total could cost over $2 billion,” said Curry.
The three neighborhoods were chosen first based on their impact on the St. Johns River, public health and economic development.
Once homes are connected to the sewer system, they’ll receive a bill which can vary widely depending on total usage at each individual property.
The Biltmore project is expected to be the first to wrap up by December 2021.