FELLSMERE — The Fellsmere City Council moved forward Thursday night in solidarity with the City of Vero Beach to push state legislators to allow a modified option for hybrid septic systems, which state law currently prohibits.
The Council unanimously approved the resolution and directed staff to send it on to Gov. Rick Scott and members of the State Legislature for consideration and adoption.
The modified hybrid septic system – known as a STEP system – to tie into the local government’s sewer system for liquid effluent removal as well as keep the existing drainfield in the event of power outages, flooding or other such emergencies.
Under current state law, homeowners can tie into the local government’s sewer system but they must disconnect their drainfield.
The solids in the septic tanks would still remain and be pumped as needed on a regular maintenance program.
Vero Beach’s Director of Water and Sewer Rob Bolton approached the Fellsmere City Council earlier this month asking them to lend their support in having that law change. He is pitching the idea that residents could have both septic and sewer, which would allow for emergency handling of water waste as well as be a less expensive proposition for homeowners.
Bolton told the Council that it can cost an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 to convert from septic to sewer. By comparison, the hybrid system would cost Vero Beach homeowners $7,260, not including a potential impact fee of $2,290 – bringing the total to an estimated $9,550.
There are a total of 30,467 septic tanks throughout Indian River County. In Fellsmere, there are a little over 1,000 septic tanks, accounting for 3.5 percent of the county’s tanks.