PALM BAY, Fla. – The city council in Palm Bay unanimously approved a plan Thursday night that would remove thousands of septic systems from properties across the city and connect them to the city’s sewer system.
A four-year plan to convert properties from septic to sewer was proposed by the utilities department “for the good of the environment,” according to the city council agenda on Thursday.
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The city said connecting would cost $5,000 for septic properties and $3,000 to convert to the water system.
“But either way, I would hook up even if I had to pay,” homeowner John Goelz said.
Goelz lives in a neighborhood near Malabar Road and Babcock Street that would include the first homes to make the switch.
Those first notifications would go out next summer and then hundreds of more property owners would be asked to convert each of the following summers through 2027.
“I’ve already replaced my drain field once, had my septic tank worked on once,” Goelz said of the maintenance. “They back up all the time.”
Goelz said most recently during flooding in parts of the city on the first day of October.
The city said septic properties with an available sewer connection will only have to pay a $100 deposit.
A homeowner who did not support the plan argued converting would still cost thousands per property even if the city waived the connection fee.
The city says it is working on various grants to reduce the cost to private property owners. The city is working with the Save Our Indian River Lagoon program to get quick connect grant funds for residents as they become available.
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