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Home My WebLink About2025 Mandatory Connection Policy BCC PresentationIndian River County Department of Utility Services Proposed Mandatory Policy Presentation to the Board of County Commissioners October 7, 2025 Purpose of Presentation Objective: Request Board approval for Mandatory Connection to County sewer service where available or when it becomes available. Agenda: •Regulatory drivers •Current conditions •Septic-to-Sewer (S2S) Program •The Financials: a)How much does it cost? b)What are property owners’ responsibility? c)What can be done to lower the costs? d)What are the options to pay for it? •Alternative to connection to County sewer Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 2 HB1379 (2023) •Prohibits new OSTDS within a BMAP or IRL Protection Program[1] •Set key dates: •As of Jan 1, 2024, new OSTDS must be ENR-OSTDS [2] •By Feb 2, 2026, and every two years thereafter, utilities within the BMAP must provide FDEP an inventory of noncompliant properties with existing OTSDS where sewer is available but are not connected[3] •By Jul 1, 2030, any property on OSTDS must connect to central sewer, if available, or upgrade to ENR-OSTDS Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 3 [1]The majority of IRC is located within a BMAP or IRL Protection Program boundary [2]~701 new permits issued thru May 2025 [3]Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan Regulatory Driver CIRL BMAP Area Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 4 Notification to OSTDS Owners •No less than 1-year prior to sewer becoming available, owners will be notified of the anticipated availability and requirement to connect. •Upon notification of sewer becoming available, owners have up to 365 days to connect to the central sewer. •Provide option to prepay the amortized value of the connection charges in equal monthly installments, without interest, for up to 2 years from initial notification. •OSTDSs that need repair or modification to function in a sanitary manner, must connect to sewer if available within 90 days of notification. •In hardship cases and upon request, a one-time extension up to 90-days may be approved. Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 5 Regulatory Driver Agencies w/ Mandatory Connection •Other municipalities with Mandatory Connection Policy: •Citrus County •City of Palm Bay •City of Bonita Springs •Pasco County •Manatee County •Nassau County •All follow HB1379 including: •365 days to connect upon written notice •90 days to connect of OSTDS require repair •Mandatory Water Connection (Citrus County) •Details of Funding Assistance and/or Rebate Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 6 Regulatory Driver IRC Policy… Section 201.04. - Sewer connections require county water: If water service is not available, the customer shall install a meter approved by the county on any private potable water supply, and the county shall use the meter reading for purposes of calculating sewer charges. Section 201.08. - Rates and charge, Subsection K Additional costs for complex connections: If in the event a particular service required by a customer is determined by the department to have a cost which greatly exceeds the average, then such cost of service shall be negotiated between the department and the customer and reduced to a written instrument approved by the customer and the department. Section 206.xx - Special Assessments: Special assessments against property deemed to be specially benefitted by county improvements shall be assessed upon the property…in proportion to the benefits…to be determined and prorated according… Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 7 Current Conditions Service Connection Scenarios Code Legend Description WAE Water Account Exist The customer already receives IRCDUS water service WALE Water Available, Lateral Exist Water service is available at the property and the service lateral with meter box is existing WANL Water Available, No Lateral Water service is available at the property and there is no service lateral and meter box existing WNA Water Not Available Water service is not currently available at the property SALE Sewer Available, Lateral Exist Sewer service is available at the property and the service lateral with cleanout is existing SANL Sewer Available, No Lateral Sewer service is available at the property and there is no service lateral and cleanout existing SNA Sewer Not Available Sewer service is not currently available at the property Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 8 Current Conditions Potential Septic Systems in the County Total Tax Parcels 68,374 In USA 63,749 In USA, w/Structure 53,302 In USA, w/Structure, No Sewer 28,374 In USA, w/Structure, No Sewer, and: Water Code Sewer Code Total Gravity Force Force ≤ 4"Force ≥ 6" WAE SALE 15 0 15 1 1 WAE SANL 1,853 244 1,609 323 1,286 WALE SALE 0 0 0 WALE SANL 0 0 0 WANL SALE 2 0 2 WANL SANL 743 232 511 116 395 WAE SNA 19,589 0 0 WNA SALE 0 0 0 WNA SANL 162 18 144 24 120 WANL SNA 1,136 N/a N/a WNA SNA 4,874 N/a N/a 28,374 494 2,281 464 1,802 Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 9 Current Conditions A Key Question… Q: Is there plant capacity? •Combined permit capacities: 12.02 MGD Sewer and 20.44 MGD Water (AADF) •28,374 Sewer connections require 6,917 Water reciprocal connections •Increase* in system loads: 4.74 MGD Sewer and 1.44 MGD Water *Estimated using: •8-year AADF 5.26 MGD Sewer and 10.99 MGD Water •Average accounts 31,557 Sewer and 52,584 Water •Per account flows 167 gpd Sewer and 209 gpd Water •Add to current flows, the new loads are 10.00 MGD Sewer and 12.43 MGD Water A: “Theoretically Yes”, however we must consider: •New growth, annexations, and potential expansion of the USB •Infrastructure improvements required to distribute the new loads Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 10 Current Conditions Septic-to-Sewer Program •S2S Program was initiated in late 2010 to early 2011 •Completed the S2S Conversion Evaluation Report in 2017 (Schulke, Bittle and Stoddard) •The report laid out the top 30 prioritized areas based on: •Soil type/condition •Proximity to surface water •Population density •Depth to ground water table •Age of existing OSTDSs •Top areas account for 5,868 OSTDSs with a potential pollutant reduction of 103,908 lbs./yr •Reevaluating priority area under the IWMP (HDR) Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 11 S2S Program S2S Projects Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 12 General Order of Priority Priority Water Code Sewer Code Total 1 WAE SALE 15 2 WAE SANL (Grav or FM <4”)567 SANL (FM ≥6”)1,286 3 WANL SALE 2 4 WANL SANL 743 5 WNA SANL 162 6 WAE SNA 19,589 7 WANL SNA 1,136 8 WNA SNA 4,874 Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 13 “ Qui ck Wi ns” 582 New Infrastructure ~25,761 Existing Infrastructure ~2,613 S2S Program Properties Abutting Sewer Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 14 Properties Abutting Sewer North 73rd St Properties Abutting Sewer Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 15 Properties Abutting Sewer Central 1st St SW 73rd St Properties Abutting Sewer Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 16 Properties Abutting Sewer South 1st St SW S2S Timeline, Past and Current Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 17 DBr Selection Design Construction Connections Bid Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2014 2025 2026 2027 2028202020212022202320242009201020112012201320052004200620072008 2030201520162017201820192029 Floravon Shores Ph.1 W Wabasso Ph.1 N Sebastian Ph.1 W Wabasso Ph.2 N Sebastian Ph.2 (Water & Sewer) W Wabasso Ph.3 Floravon Shores Ph.2 Hobart Landing Sebastian CRA Wabasso Island (incl. Orchid Isl Ests) North Sebastian Phase 3 (2C) Float S2S Program Cost Elements •Public Infrastructure •Mains •Laterals •Lift station •Private Side Connection •Permitting •Equipment (pump and controller) •Labor & Material •Installation (plumbing and electrical) •Septic tank pump-out and abandonment •Property restoration •Customer Service Charges •Impact fee •Account deposit •Meter charge (water) •Account setup Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 18 S2S Financials Private Side vs. Public Side (Gravity) Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 19 PublicPrivate Gravity Sewer to Force Main Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 20 Customer Connection w/ Grinder Pump Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 21 Gravity or Force Main Corp Stop / Check Valve Inside Meter Box Customer Connection w/ STEP System Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 22 Septic Tank Effluent Pump Sewer LineService Panel & Alarm Light Vacuum Sewer System Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 23 Sewer Installations Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 24 How much does it costs? Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Priority 5 Priority 6 Priority 7 Priority 8 WAE & SALE WAE & SANL WANL & SALE WANL & SANL WNA & SANL WAE & SNA WANL & SNA WNA & SNA INFRASTRUCTURE $4,500 $8,335 $11,125 $14,960 $35,235 $105,700 $112,325 $132,600 Water Service Extension Fee and --- --- $3,000 $3,000 --- --- $3,000 --- Connection (Tap), or --- --- $3,625 $3,625 --- --- $3,625 --- Assessment --- --- --- --- $26,900 --- --- $26,900 Sewer Service Extension Fee and $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 --- --- --- Connection (Tap), or --- $3,835 --- $3,835 $3,835 --- --- --- Assessment --- --- --- --- --- $105,700 $105,700 $105,700 PRIVATE SIDE CONNECTION $11,500 - 24,600 $11,500 - 24,600 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 $11,500 - 24,600 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 Water Service Permitting --- --- Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer --- Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer Installation --- --- $1,750 $1,750 $1,750 --- $1,750 $1,750 Restoration --- --- $500 $500 $500 --- $500 $500 Sewer Service Permitting (delta)$1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 Equipment $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 Installation $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 Restoration $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARGES $2,729 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 $4,832 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 Water Service Impact Fee --- --- $1,463 $1,463 $1,463 --- $1,463 $1,463 Account Deposit --- --- $45 $45 $45 --- $45 $45 Meter Installation --- --- $570 $570 $570 --- $570 $570 New Account Fee --- --- $25 $25 $25 --- $25 $25 Sewer Service Impact Fee $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 Account Deposit $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 New Account Fee $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 Range of Costs per Property $18,700 - 31,800 $22,500 - 35,700 $29,000 - 43,900 $32,800 - 47,800 $53,100 - 68,100 $119,900 - 133,000 $130,200 - 145,100 $150,500 - 165,400 No. of Properties 15 1,853 2 743 162 19,589 1,136 4,874 Estimated Cost to Buildout $3.31 - $3.69 Billion Cost Item 25 What can be done to lower costs? 1.Suspend “no sewer without water” policy under the S2S Program 2.Waive “service extension & connection” charges where sewer is available to existing structures 3.Waive “assessments” of IRC costs (what grants doesn’t cover) to build new sewer infrastructure 4.Waive select “permit fees” for septic conversions 5.Other IRCDUS proposed actions: a.Shortlist/pre-qualify Plumbing Contractors w/ pre-negotiated unit labor costs b.Leverage IRC’s buying power/tax-exempt status to procure equipment under piggyback contracts c.Utility inspectors perform inspections of private connections* Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 26 *Inspections follow requirements of CH 62-6 FAC S2S Financials What can be done to lower costs? Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Priority 5 Priority 6 Priority 7 Priority 8 WAE & SALE WAE & SANL WANL & SALE WANL & SANL WNA & SANL WAE & SNA WANL & SNA WNA & SNA INFRASTRUCTURE $4,500 $8,335 $11,125 $14,960 $35,235 $105,700 $112,325 $132,600 Water Service Extension Fee and --- --- $3,000 $3,000 --- --- $3,000 --- Connection (Tap), or --- --- $3,625 $3,625 --- --- $3,625 --- Assessment --- --- --- --- $26,900 --- --- $26,900 Sewer Service Extension Fee and $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 --- --- --- Connection (Tap), or --- $3,835 --- $3,835 $3,835 --- --- --- Assessment --- --- --- --- --- $105,700 $105,700 $105,700 PRIVATE SIDE CONNECTION $11,500 - 24,600 $11,500 - 24,600 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 $11,500 - 24,600 $13,000 - 28,000 $13,000 - 28,000 Water Service Permitting --- --- Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer --- Incl w/ Sewer Incl w/ Sewer Installation --- --- $1,750 $1,750 $1,750 --- $1,750 $1,750 Restoration --- --- $500 $500 $500 --- $500 $500 Sewer Service Permitting (delta)$1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 Equipment $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 $4,625 Installation $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 $6,851 Restoration $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 $3,570 CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARGES $2,729 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 $4,832 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 Water Service Impact Fee --- --- $1,463 $1,463 $1,463 --- $1,463 $1,463 Account Deposit --- --- $45 $45 $45 --- $45 $45 Meter Installation --- --- $570 $570 $570 --- $570 $570 New Account Fee --- --- $25 $25 $25 --- $25 $25 Sewer Service Impact Fee $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 Account Deposit $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 New Account Fee $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 Range of Costs per Property $18,700 - 31,800 $22,500 - 35,700 $29,000 - 43,900 $32,800 - 47,800 $53,100 - 68,100 $119,900 - 133,000 $130,200 - 145,100 $150,500 - 165,400 No. of Properties 15 1,853 2 743 162 19,589 1,136 4,874 Estimated Cost to Buildout $3.31 - $3.69 Billion Cost Item 27 Pro Forma w/ Proposed Actions Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 28 Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Priority 5 Priority 6 Priority 7 Priority 8 WAE & SALE WAE & SANL WANL & SALE WANL & SANL WNA & SANL WAE & SNA WANL & SNA WNA & SNA INFRASTRUCTURE $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Water Service Extension Fee and --- --- $0 $0 --- --- $0 --- Connection (Tap), or --- --- $0 $0 --- --- $0 --- Assessment --- --- --- --- $0 --- --- $0 Sewer Service Extension Fee and $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 --- --- --- Connection (Tap), or --- $0 --- $0 $0 --- --- --- Assessment --- --- --- --- --- $0 $0 $0 PRIVATE SIDE CONNECTION $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 $6,800 - 14,600 Water Service Permitting --- --- $0 $0 $0 --- $0 $0 Installation --- --- $0 $0 $0 --- $0 $0 Restoration --- --- $0 $0 $0 --- $0 $0 Sewer Service Permitting (delta)$450 $450 $450 $450 $450 $450 $450 $450 Equipment $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 $3,200 Installation $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 $4,795 Restoration $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 $1,785 CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARGES $2,729 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 $4,832 $2,729 $4,832 $4,832 Water Service Impact Fee --- --- $1,463 $1,463 $1,463 --- $1,463 $1,463 Account Deposit --- --- $45 $45 $45 --- $45 $45 Meter Installation --- --- $570 $570 $570 --- $570 $570 New Account Fee --- --- $25 $25 $25 --- $25 $25 Sewer Service Impact Fee $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 $2,624 Account Deposit $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 $80 New Account Fee $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 Range of Costs per Property $9,500 - 17,300 $9,500 - 17,300 $11,600 - 19,500 $11,600 - 19,500 $11,600 - 19,500 $9,500 - 17,300 $11,600 - 19,500 $11,600 - 19,500 No. of Properties 15 1,853 2 743 162 19,589 1,136 4,874 Estimated Cost to Buildout $3.31 - $3.69 Billion Cost Item What are the options to pay for it? Program Infrastructure Private Side Impact Fee Other Costs Comments CWC S2S Grants N/A Income eligible SIG Grants Specific areas CDBG Grant[1]Targeted areas; IRCDUS to apply SHIP Loan[2]Income eligible; up to $20,000 SELF Loan Based on qualification IRCDUS Finance 5 years Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 29 Notes: 1.IRCDUS will apply for CDBG grants upon NOA. The anticipated timeline is 2 years for funds to become available. 2.SHIP currently has a 2- to 3-year backlog of applications. Contact for more info: ANGELA DAVIS-GREEN or JUDY LIVINGSTON adavisgreen@eocofirc.net │jlivingston@eocofirc.net Economic Opportunities Council (EOC) of Indian River County, Inc. 2455 St Lucie Ave │Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 562-4177 │ https://eocofirc.net/ S2S Financials FDEP-Approved ENR-OSTDS Option •N-Reducing Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) •Certified to NSF International Standard NSF-245 •Retrofit typically involves replacement of tank and drain-field •Requires a maintenance contract and operating permit from DOH •Contractors must be manufacturer certified and registered with DOH •Lead time currently ~2 weeks; expected 6-10 weeks or higher as deadline looms •Supplier in short demand; cost will go up as demand increase •Cost Estimates •Total Installed Cost (TIC) •New Construction - $12,500 to $20,000 •Retrofit Residential - $15,000 to $25,000 •Annual Inspection & Service •$1,200 to $2,000 (repairs extra) •Power is required Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 30 Alternative to Connection Recommendations Recap 1)Adopt a mandatory connection policy in compliance SB 1632 2)Support negotiated costs under special circumstances (201-08K) 3)Offer a grace period for new homes built with ENR-OSTDS 4)Approve a flat rate or tiered billing in lieu of metering private water supply (201.04) 5)Waive assessments of property owners the infrastructure costs not covered by grants 6)Reassess the use of OST to offset eligible Customer Service charge(s) 7)Waive or reduce IRC permit fees applicable to Water and Sewer connections 8)Endorse and promote third-party financing programs 9)Authorize the Dept of Utility Services to development of its own financing options 10)Authorize sending out Water and Sewer Mandatory Connection Notices (MCN) 11)Authorize lessening key provisions of County administered funding assistance Mandatory Connection Policy Presentation, Oct 7, 2025 31 Thank You! Questions?