SEBASTIAN — Continuing its pro-active stance on protecting the Indian River Lagoon by reducing septic tank use, the Sebastian City Council will ask to “piggyback” onto Vero Beach’s hybrid septic/sewer program.
The Council also plans to approach the County about kicking in funds with Sebastian, to help residents pay for the conversion from septic tanks.
Sebastian Mayor Richard Gillmor made the suggestions at the Dec. 16 City Council meeting and the Council, absent Councilwoman Andrea Coy, agreed to place the items on the next agenda.
The new system, already under way in Vero Beach, starts with the basic Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) system, through which a small electric pump sends effluent (liquid waste) to a treatment plant.
The hybrid system, however, retains the septic tank drain field, enabling the system to continue to function during a power outage.
Gillmor told Council that Indian River Lagoon Council’s new director, Duane DeFreese, will “probably have Vero Beach come up to talk with us about the STEP system.”
For three years, Gillmor said, Sebastian has provided $100,000 each year to assist its residents connect to the sewer line. Because the lines belong to the County’s utility, new hook-ups benefit the County.
“We’re not the beneficiary, the County is, so we should ask the County to come up with its share,” to help residents pay for the costly hook-ups.
The traditional septic tank conversion costs approximately $20,000 for conversion.
The Council also agreed to request that the County extend its North County sewer lines in the areas east of the railroad tracks, where the danger is greatest of pollution flow into the Lagoon.