SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council decided unanimously Wednesday evening to throw its support behind the City of Vero Beach in its quest to change state laws to allow for modified hybrid septic systems.
After a presentation by Vero Beach Water and Sewer Director Robert Bolton, which provided details on hybrid modified/combined septic tank effluent pump (STEP) systems, the Sebastian City Council voted to support a legislative amendment to facilitate their use.
According to Bolton’s presentation, the hybrid STEP system works to reduce the amount of effluent reaching the groundwater at approximately half the cost of a conventional gravity sewer system, and has the lowest up-front cost of the four systems currently in use.
Bolton said the estimated total cost for connection, including a $2,290 impact fee, is $9,550.
Although the STEP system has been in use in several regions of the country for years, a significant benefit of the hybrid STEP system is that it will continue to function even if there is a power outage, which would otherwise bring older systems to a halt.
Bolton presented data showing that, in Indian River County, there are 30,467 septic systems generating 7.62 million gallons of wastewater per day.
“What’s alarming to me,” he said, is that an estimated half of that makes its way into the water table.
Sebastian, with 8,357 septic systems, has 27.43 percent of the county’s total. The City of Fellsmere has 1,076 septic systems. Within the entire lagoon watershed, he said, there are as many as 300,000 septic tank systems.
The City’s resolution would urge the Florida legislature to adopt and Gov. Scott to support the amendment, which states that “by installing a step system local governments may be able to affordably capture and treat over 99 percent of the effluent at local wastewater treatment plants.”
Sebastian joins Fellsmere, Vero Beach, Indian River County, and Indian River Shores in support of the legislative amendment. Bolton is expected to meet with the Town of Orchid, as well.
