Indian River Land Trust

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Converting Septic to Sewer - Making our Lagoon Cleaner

Converting Septic to Sewer - Making our Lagoon Cleaner
In 2023, the Indian River Land Trust became a catalyst for eliminating residential septic systems that are polluting the Indian River Lagoon, and has made solid progress with this septic to sewer conversion effort. There is an abundance of scientific evidence that residential septic systems, especially those close to our vulnerable waterways, are polluting the Lagoon and its tributaries. This pollution has been a major contributor to the demise of thousands of acres of seagrass. Seagrasses are a primary food source for species such as the West Indies manatee which have suffered malnutrition, starvation and increased mortality in recent years.

A partnership between the Land Trust, the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, the City of Vero Beach, the Economic Opportunities Council and the Indian River Community Foundation is helping income-qualified homeowners eliminate septic systems that are polluting the Lagoon. The program has converted nearly 50 homes located near a critical Lagoon waterway, resulting in meaningful improvements to local water quality.

Additionally, the Land Trust is working with Indian River County to accelerate the conversion of more than 150 septic systems in two neighborhoods on the Lagoon abutting more than 300 acres of Land Trust conservation properties. Prompted by the Land Trust and the Clean Water Coalition, the County applied for and received more than $9 million in grant funds to convert these low-lying neighborhoods to sewer service. The Land Trust will be a financial partner by absorbing the County's Impact Fees for the project. These fees will pay it forward for future sewer conversion needs throughout the county.

The Land Trust is proud to be a partner in these important projects and we consider them a win-win for our community and the environment.