Brevard County presents Space Coast wastewater feasibility study; Titusville asked to consider participation
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Summary
Brevard County and Jacobs Engineering updated Titusville City Council on a county-led feasibility study to expand regional wastewater capacity to support population and space-industry growth; the county invited Titusville to participate in stakeholder meetings and provide data while stressing participation is not a commitment to become a system user.
Brevard County utility officials and Jacobs Engineering presented Phase 2 of a Space Coast wastewater system feasibility study to the Titusville City Council on March 24, outlining options to expand capacity and improve resilience for population growth and space-industry demand.
"Participation in the study is that you would attend stakeholder meetings with the project team, you would provide data and input if requested, and it does not necessarily mean that the city of Titusville is saying that they are committing as a user into Brevard County's wastewater system," Sarah Mars of Jacobs Engineering said, clarifying that participation does not obligate Titusville to join the county system.
Eddie Fontenin, Brevard County's utility services director, said the study is running multiple tasks in parallel: reverse-flow evaluations, site-selection screening for a new advanced wastewater treatment facility (AWWTF) or upgrades to existing county plants, pipeline routing and field verification, and resilience analyses against sea-level rise. The study team expects to publish findings and recommendations by December 2026.
Council members raised affordability and environmental concerns. A council member noted the last municipal wastewater plant project was undertaken about 30 years ago at roughly $50 million at the time and asked whether a standalone plant today could cost $150 million or more. Member Nelson asked about the risks of routing pipes across the Indian River and how those risks would be mitigated; county staff said environmental and permitting constraints are part of the evaluation and that feasibility depends on permitting and funding.
Fontenin and Jacobs staff said the study is intended to create a roadmap to support federal and state funding requests, and the county will return to the city for a subsequent council meeting if Titusville wants formal participation or to decide whether to pursue joining any regional solution.
Next steps: Titusville council members were invited to consider participation; staff said the council could vote at a future meeting after receiving more information on site options, costs, and funding share arrangements.
