The Septic to Sewer
Conversion Guide
This document guides planning, funding, and executing projects to enhance water quality and protect the environment. It covers regulatory requirements, community involvement, and methods for transitioning from septic to centralized wastewater treatment. This resource helps municipalities, utilities, and stakeholders manage these projects, supporting environmental and public health objectives.
The Septic to Sewer
Conversion Guide
Helps homeowners, local governments, and organizations transition from septic systems to sewer systems. It covers environmental benefits, Florida laws, costs, funding, and advanced treatment options, with case studies and tools to guide you. Download now to improve water quality and infrastructure.
OUR EXPERTISE
At Jones Edmunds, our values of Integrity, Knowledge, and Service guide us. With over three decades of experience in septic to sewer conversions, we provide sustainable solutions that improve water quality, protect the environment, and bring long-term public health benefits. Our expertise and commitment make us trusted partners in these critical infrastructure projects.
Funding Opportunities
RESOURCES
Legislation
Chapter 373, Florida Statutes (F.S.) – Water Resources
Part VIII – Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act:
Enacted as part of Senate Bill 552 in 2016, this section explicitly protects Florida’s springs and aquifers from nutrient pollution, including from septic systems. Local governments must develop management strategies, including septic-to-sewer conversions, to reduce nutrient impacts on these water resources.
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Chapter 381, F.S. – Public Health
Section 381.0065, F.S. – Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS):
This section outlines the regulations for installing, maintaining, and operating septic systems in Florida. It includes requirements for system design, siting, permitting, and inspections.
Section 381.00655, F.S. – Connection to Public Sewer System:
This statute mandates that properties served by a public sewer system must connect to the system if the system is available within a certain distance.
Chapter 403, F.S. – Environmental Control
Section 403.067, F.S. – Establishment and Implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs):
This section relates to the identification and restoration of impaired water bodies. Septic systems are often addressed in Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) as sources of pollution that need to be controlled.
Subparagraph 403.067(7)(a)9., Florida Statutes:
OSTDS Remediation Plans are required by FDEP Final Order (OGC Case No. 23-0112 to 0135), which requires local governments within a BMAP to develop a wastewater treatment plant and/or an OSTDS remediation plan(s) per Subparagraph 403.067(7)(a)9., Florida Statutes.
Section 403.086, F.S. – Sewage Disposal Facilities:
This section addresses the requirements for sewage disposal facilities, including regulations related to the treatment and disposal of sewage from septic systems.
Chapter 489, F.S. – Contracting
Section 489.105, F.S. – Definitions (Septic Tank Contracting):
This section defines the scope of work licensed septic tank contractors can perform, including installing, repairing, and inspecting septic systems.
Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code (FAC) – Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems:
This chapter provides detailed regulations for the design, installation, permitting, and maintenance of septic systems in Florida. It covers system construction, siting, performance standards, and inspection requirements.
Rule 64E-6.001 through 64E-6.029:
These rules cover various aspects of septic system regulations, including definitions, general requirements, system design criteria, siting, maintenance, and inspection protocols.
Chapter 62-610, FAC – Reuse of Reclaimed Water and Land Application:
This chapter includes provisions related to the land application of treated wastewater, which may involve septic systems in specific contexts.
Overview:
In 2016, the Florida Legislature enacted the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act (the Act) and identified 30 Outstanding Florida Springs (OFSs) that require additional protections to ensure their conservation and restoration for future generations. These springs are a unique part of the state’s scenic beauty, provide critical habitat, and have immeasurable natural, recreational, and economic value.
The Act requires the FDEP to assess the water quality in the OFSs. Based on these assessments, the FDEP determined that 24 of these springs are impaired. For these impaired springs, the FDEP must adopt (or re-adopt) a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) to implement all the protections of the Act, including:
- Prioritized lists of restoration projects along with planning-level estimates for cost, schedule, and nutrient load reduction
- Phased milestones (five-year, 10-year, and 15-year) to achieve water quality restoration targets in 20 years
- Estimated nutrient pollutant loads allocated to each source or category of sources
- Completed remediation plans for OSTDSs where septic loading accounts for at least 20 percent of the estimated nutrient input
- Delineated “priority focus areas” where certain activities are prohibited
Overview:
The Clean Waterways Act, passed in 2020, represents a comprehensive approach to addressing water quality issues across Florida. This legislation shifted regulatory authority for septic systems from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), emphasizing its environmental impact.
Key Provisions:
- Septic System Inspection and Monitoring: The act mandates periodic inspection and monitoring of septic systems, especially those located near sensitive water bodies. The goal is to identify and address systems that are failing or contributing to nutrient pollution.
- Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs): The act requires the inclusion of septic-to-sewer conversions as part of BMAPs in areas where septic systems are identified as a significant source of nutrient loading. This includes specific timelines and strategies for reducing pollutant loads.
- Septic System Upgrades: The act promotes upgrading conventional septic systems to more advanced systems that better treat and reduce nutrient loads, particularly nitrogen. It also provides a framework for local governments to incentivize these upgrades.
This bill includes provisions aimed at eliminating surface water discharges of treated wastewater, indirectly impacting septic systems by encouraging connections to centralized sewage treatment facilities.
Overview:
The bill primarily focuses on environmental protection, targeting water quality and waste management. It amends multiple sections of Florida law to strengthen regulations on septic tanks, enhance water quality monitoring, and promote the transition from septic systems to centralized sewer systems in specific areas.
These are regulatory tools used by the FDEP to manage and restore water quality in impaired water bodies. Septic systems are often identified as significant sources of nutrient pollution, and BMAPs include strategies for septic system upgrades, conversions, or replacements.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of various septic system designs in reducing nitrogen pollution. The findings have guided regulatory decisions and the development of advanced septic system technologies.
It also included a mandatory septic tank inspection program, which was later repealed.
Overview:
The bill:
- Requires any county or municipality with a basin management action plan (BMAP) within its jurisdiction to include within the capital improvement element of its comprehensive plan a list of projects necessary to achieve the pollutant load reductions attributable to the local government as established in the BMAP.
- Prohibits the installation of new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDSs) within a BMAP area adopted under s. 403.067, F.S., a reasonable assurance plan, or a pollution reduction plan where connection to a publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system is available. In addition, on lots of 1 acre or less within such areas where a publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system is not available, the bill requires the installation of enhanced nutrient-reducing OSTDSs or other wastewater treatment systems that achieve at least 65 percent nitrogen reduction.
- Authorizes DEP to provide grants for projects that reduce the amount of nutrients entering waters that: are not attaining nutrient or nutrient-related standards; have an established total maximum daily load (TMDL); or are located within a BMAP area, a reasonable assurance plan area adopted by final order, an accepted alternative restoration plan area, or a rural area of opportunity.
- Requires DEP, relevant local governments, and relevant local public and private wastewater u tilities, as part of a BMAP that includes an Outstanding Florida Spring, to develop an OSTDS remediation plan for a spring if DEP determines OSTDSs within a BMAP contribute at least 20 percent of nonpoint source nitrogen pollution or if DEP determines remediation is necessary to achieve the TMDL.
- Establishes the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program within DEP.
- Dedicates $100 million annually to DEP from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the acquisition of lands through the Florida Forever Program.
- Increases the contract price for a land acquisition agreement that requires approval by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and increases the threshold for when two appraisals are required.
- Requires appraisal reports to be disclosed to private land owners during negotiations for acquisition.
MEDIA AND NEWS
PUBLIC OUTREACH
TOOLKIT
At Jones Edmunds, we recognize
the critical importance of effective
public outreach in fostering
community engagement and
ensuring the success of various
projects and initiatives. We have
created the Jones Edmunds Public
Outreach Toolkit to support our
clients in their outreach efforts. This
comprehensive toolkit is designed to
provide all the necessary materials
to plan and execute successful
outreach events on various topics.
CONTACT US
For more information, please reach out to our team of experts specializing in septic to sewer programs, legislation, and funding. We’re here to assist with any questions you may have.