Orange County marks 500th septic-to-sewer connection in Palms neighborhood

Orange County officials marked the 500th residential sewer connection in the Palms neighborhood on Monday, celebrating a milestone in a county septic-to-sewer conversion meant to protect nearby Wekiwa Springs and the Wekiva River.

Mayor Jerry L. Demings said the project began in summer 2021 and praised residents and partner agencies for the work. "This is a great day in Orange County," Demings said, adding that crews have been "working hard to install sewer connections to homes." He noted the county expects to convert almost 2,000 homes over the life of the program.

The conversion is financed in part by grants and a local Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) that shares costs among homeowners, officials said. Commissioner Christine Moore, who has led outreach in District 2, said early public meetings regularly…