Septic to Sewer Conversion Program

What is the Septic to Sewer Conversion Program?

Our goal is to connect homes and businesses currently on septic systems to the city’s wastewater collection and treatment system. The reduction and elimination of septic systems is one way we can proactively improve the health of our local waterways, inclusive of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.

More than 10,700 residents have made the connection from septic to sewer since 1999. On average, Port St. Lucie has completed 350 conversions annually. From application to installation completion, the entire process takes 4 to 6 weeks with minimal interruptions to your sewer service.

Understanding your sewer

The City uses a low-pressure wastewater disposal system that helps move wastewater from your home to the City's sewer collection system and then on to a wastewater treatment facility. Watch the video to learn about your home's sewer system, how it works and how to keep it working properly.

Six reasons to convert from septic to sewer

#1. City maintains your system

Septic systems need maintenance. On average, a septic tank generally needs to be pumped out every three to five years to prevent backups and overflow. The costs of septic system maintenance must be paid for by the homeowner. With a City sewer system, the maintenance is managed, and all costs are covered by the city.

Connect to Protect our community's...

#2. Waterways

Malfunctioning septic systems can release bacteria, viruses and chemicals toxic to local waterways. New sewer pump installations have diverted more than 20 billion gallons of raw wastewater to the City’s treatment facilities, thus protecting our canals and waterways from pollution.

#3. Environment

The wastewater from your City sewer system is treated at a City wastewater treatment plant. After treatment, the wastewater may be recycled for irrigation and the remaining waste is used for compost. City wastewater reduces the nutrient inputs that contribute to harmful algae blooms that contaminate our local seagrass and marine life, including fish, marine turtles, marine mammal and shellfish.

#4. Health

Septic systems will eventually fail, allowing untreated sewage to leach into surface waters and private groundwater wells, which some people use for drinking water. Raw sewage from a failed septic system can even make its way to the surface of a yard where puddles of sewage can cause an increased health risk for residents if they come into contact with it. Enteric bacteria health risks associated with insufficiently treated wastewater include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.

#5. Economy

High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus discolor the water and cause widespread marine mortality because of impacts caused by widespread algal growth. Fishing and water recreational businesses depend on clean waterways for their livelihood.

#6. Recreation

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County will issue warnings about high levels of enteric bacteria and close boat ramps and beaches. Improperly treated sewage poses the risk of contaminating nearby surface waters, threatening water enthusiasts with various infectious diseases, from eye and ear infections to acute gastrointestinal illness and hepatitis.

What is a sewer system?

A sewer system is composed of a 200-gallon collection tank for sewage and a sewer pump, both of which are buried in your yard. There also is a control panel mounted on the side of your home. Wastewater from your sinks, appliances, showers, toilets, etc. leaves your home and enters the underground collection tank. When enough wastewater has been collected in the tank, the sewer pump will automatically turn on and pump the wastewater into the City’s sewer line.

Caring for your sewer system is easy

If there is a problem with the sewer system, an alarm will sound from the control panel on the side of your home, and a small red alarm light will light up.
Report the warning immediately by calling 772-873-6400. A Connection Support Specialist is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and will give you instructions on how to silence the alarm and will dispatch a technician to identify and address issues.
Restrict/limit all water use until City crews can determine the cause of the alarm. Do not run the washing machine or dishwasher and do not take long showers until the technician completes any necessary repairs.
If the power goes out, restrict/limit all your water until the power has been restored. When the power comes on again, it is normal for the alarm to go off. Silence the alarm (by hitting the red button on the control panel) and check the alarm panel again after 30 minutes. If the alarm light is still on, call 772-873-6400.

5 warning signs of a defective septic system

Gurgling noises: Your plumbing may begin to make gurgling noises when you run the water or flush the toilet. This is a sign that the tank is full and needs to be pumped. The gurgling results from the septic tank being too full of solids and not being able to function properly.
An awful smell: A terrible odor is one of the most common things you will notice when your septic system is failing. A common odor is the smell of rotten eggs.
Toilet and drain issues: If the toilet won't flush and the sink or bathtub won’t drain, then your septic tank might be too full.
Water is backing up: It is common to have septic back-up after or even during heavy rain. Significant rainfall can quickly flood the ground around the soil absorption area (drain field) leaving it saturated, making it impossible for water to flow out of your septic system.
Standing water: There may be puddles of standing water on your property. The water will likely be smelly and will be a health hazard. Diseases can be spread by waste such as dysentery.

Septic systems have limited life spans and frequently fail, impacting the environment and the community's water quality. When you Connect to Protect, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you are part of the solution to reduce pollution and help protect our waterways.

Steps

There are six easy steps to connect to protect

Step 1.Schedule an appointment

Schedule an in-person appointment, or request the paperwork be mailed to you, by calling the Connection Support Office in City Hall at 772-873-6400 or email utility@cityofpsl.com.

Note: All property owner signatures will need to be notarized if you’re choosing to take advantage of the interest free, 10-year payback program. See Water & Sewer Conversion Rates(PDF, 1MB)

Step 2.Pre-inspection

A pre-inspection of the site will be completed.

Step 3.Electrician Visit

The homeowner meets with a contracted electrician to install a grinder control box.

Step 4.Sewer Crew Visit

A sewer crew will run a sewer service line.

Step 5.Install New Sewer System

The sewer crew will abandon the old septic tank and install the new sewer system.

Step 6.Beautification

The City will restore your yard, and any other disturbed areas, by installing new sod.

Cost

The Cost to Connect to Protect

Effective October 1, 2024, the cost to convert an existing septic systems is $7,959, or 120 monthly (interest free) payments of $65.74. Customers are also responsible for paying a $110 sewer deposit and document recording fees of $45.50 with their application. Take the first step by calling one of the City’s friendly and knowledgeable Utility Connection Support Specialists at 772-873-6400.

Interest Free Financing Available: No Financial Qualifications Required

When a resident needs or desires to connect to City sewer, the homeowner can finance their connection fees over a 10-year period(PDF, 1MB) with no interest and no financial qualifications required. Customers are charged monthly with their water/wastewater usage bill.

The City provides all the materials and necessary labor to connect to the low-pressure sewer system from the home’s plumbing to the sewer pump, then to a pipe network in the street. The connection fee not only covers connection costs, but it also covers the reservation of capacity in the wastewater treatment facilities for each residence that is connecting to the City’s system.

2024 Septic to Sewer Program Page.jpg

Sewer Expansion Program(PDF, 2MB)

Grants May Be Available

Grants are awarded on first-come-first-serve basis. Funding is limited. Different types of funding may be available at different times depending on grant programs.

What you should know

In order to qualify for a grant to cover 100% of the cost to convert from a septic tank to City sewer, the applicant/household must income qualify, according to State guidelines.
If a residential property owner does not qualify for a grant, 10-year interest-free financing is available, for all or a portion of the cost.
If you already have connected to the City’s sewer system and have made use of the City’s interest-free financing option, you may be eligible for a loan payoff depending on your income. If you are within a certain low-moderate, average income level, you may qualify for a loan payoff.

If you would like to learn more about how to qualify and apply for the water sewer grant program, please fill out the contact form, and someone from the City’s Neighborhood Services Department will contact you about the next steps. If you have any questions you can call the Neighborhood Services Community Programs Division at 772-344-4084.

Paying your bill online is easy & convenient

Once a home is connected to the public sewer lines, a homeowner typically doesn’t have to worry about much beyond paying a monthly wastewater fee. The average customer bill, including water and sewer, for a two-person household would be $95.03, which is for 5,000 gallons of water and sewer.

Bill Example with 10-year pay back amount(PDF, 80KB)

There are five ways to pay your utility bill

Free online and phone Utility Bill Payment is available.

Phone: 772-873-6400 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Mail: PO Box 8987, Port St. Lucie, FL 34985
Drop-off box outside of City Hall: 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd (checks and money orders)
Pay your utility bill online: It's fast, easy and secure, and your payment is processed immediately. A customer can set up paperless billing, schedule automatic payments, pay on multiple accounts and save multiple payment options in a secured wallet. Learn More
1PSL: Call 772-871-1775, download the 1PSL app, or use the web portal

Disclaimer

The City reserves the right to alter, cancel or discontinue this program. If an applicant is denied funding, that determination is final and there is no appeals process. It is important to note that the financial information required by this program may be subject to public inspection or disclosure as required by federal, state or local law, including the Florida Public Records Act. Records, including but not limited to, applications, emails, or related documents may be subject to disclosure under Ch. 119, Florida Statutes (Florida’s Public Records Act).

FAQs

What do I need to do to complete the work after I make the application?

The City’s contracted electrician will contact you to schedule an appointment to do the necessary wiring in preparation for the grinder system installation.

What do I do if my sewer system alarm is alerting?

Silence the alarm by hitting the red button on the control panel and call 772-873-6400.

Can I flush baby wipes or flushable wipes?

Baby wipes and other advertised flushable wipes do not break down and may cause major clogs. Learn how you can protect your low-pressure wastewater disposal system and gravity system by visiting the What Not To Flush webpage.

What to do during a storm?

The Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service in any kind of weather. If you are on City water, customers will not be impacted if the power goes out because our water treatment facilities will run on generator power. Learn more about Storm Preparation & Recovery.

Program History

The City of Port St. Lucie had a vision for the rapidly growing community, even before acquiring its utility assets in 1994, and developed a plan of action to expand the once-limited water and sanitary sewer utility services. The sewer expansion program would ensure that failing septic systems could be taken out of service to avoid further contamination to the shallow water supply and that newly constructed homes and businesses would be required to connect to City sewer. The City’s low-pressure wastewater collection system has grown to be the largest of its kind in the nation and quite possibly, the world. The innovative program also has become a model for other utilities across the globe.

Learn about the City's Water Quality Initiatives