If you are perplexed by the arguments for and against replacing septic systems with sewers throughout Marco Island, check out this question and answer conversation with an expert.

He is Clarence Tears, director of the South Florida Water Management District. We asked about the environmental impact of sewers vs. septic systems.

Q. In general, are sewers or septic systems preferable here and why?

A. You need to replace those septic systems with sewers to protect the island’s environment and its beauty. One major reason is so you can monitor water quality.

Even Collier County with their advanced wastewater treatment system can’t provide 100-percent re-use water, but they have checks and balances in place to protect that resource and ensure the proper disposal of the source that doesn’t meet the standards. With a utility system, throughout the day they are always monitoring and checking for water quality.

Q. Septic systems are widely used in some parts of the country, so why not here on Marco?

A. I’ve talked to a lot of scientists who say septic systems are really designed for low-density communities where you have a lot of rural land. Marco Island is truly a high-density areA. The land is limited by water and the proximity of that water to the septic systems, is the true issue.

Q. What specific environmental problems do we face from septic systems?

A. Septic systems don’t process nutrients well, nitrogen primarily, which are indirectly related to red tide and other problems. Ecoli also is an issue.

On Florida’s east coast, there have been barrier islands that waited until there was degradation of the environment so they went back and had to replace the septic systems. In the Keys, they found septic systems impacting coastal barrier reefs.

There’s a big push to get older septic systems off line.

Q. Any other concerns?

A. Scientists worry about medications in the septic systems and their proximity to canals. And we don’t always test for those. Another issue is “optical brighteners,” bleach, water softeners and such. They tend not to break down in septic systems and seep into groundwater and to the waterways.

Scientists sometimes use caffeine, which doesn’t break down in septic systems, as a tracer to see how quickly it gets from septics to the water.

Some cases show it’s almost immediate, depending on soil types.

Q. Didn’t environmental groups make grants to the city for water quality control?

A. The local arm of the District Basin Board through our strategic plan identified $6 million to keep Marco on track. We gave $2 million the first year and we identified a million a year for four more years, because we know the importance of this. It’s part of our mission statement, water quality improvement and environmental enhancement.

Q. Sum up your thoughts on the need, in environmental terms, to finish the sewer project.

A. I just can’t understand why some don’t want to protect what they have on Marco. There’ve been horror stories on other barrier islands around the state.

Honestly, Marco’s (septic) systems need to be replaced. They were a short-term fix. The State Dept. of Community Affairs has told the Island that it (septic system) is inconsistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.

Marco needs to replace it. It’s either now or later. If they stop it now, people not on sewers now will have to spend money on replacing their septic systems and later, they’ll have to get sewers.

The solution is a lot cheaper today than it will be tomorrow.

That’s the view of Clarence Tears, director of the South Florida Water Management District. He has no financial or other personal stake in the controversy.

He also has more than 20 years of expertise in water resources management.

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