Why sewer system is needed in Archer

 I see a problem now and in the future with septic tanks built in the 50s. 

I am concerned about how and who services these systems.  Inspections are conducted by the Alachua County Health Department and take place upon request or installations only. There is a lot of room for concern. Septic tank systems that comply with State standards provide acceptable levels of treatment and removal of phosphorus, bacteria and viruses, however, these systems provide little removal of nitrogen, salts and certain organic chemicals. Nitrogen can leak into the water or into the aquifer, which is where we get our drinking water.

If the septic tank is located where the capacity of the soil to absorb the effluent from the tank is exceeded and the waste added to the system moves to the soil surface above the drain field, the overland flow from rainfall may carry contaminants directly to the surface water or improperly sealed water well.  Many of the small communities are low density with very little room for storm water runoff. Storm water absorbs back into the earth.

The City Commission interviewed three engineers last week and one will be selected to come up with plans for some type of sewer system suitable for the City of Archer.  Over the years we have gone through this process before and the commission decided not to get the system placed in Archer. I am sure that we could have secured this system at a much lower cost years ago.

The sewer system will bring in businesses to help create a tax base, offer our citizens jobs so that they will be able to spend more in our town.

This is my opinion only – if we do not get the sewer system, the City of Archer will not be able to maintain in the future. Our revenues decreased over the last year and we can hope that this trend does not continue.  I would like to ask that the citizens sacrifice to make Archer a better place to live.

Mayor Roberta Lopez

Archer, Fla.