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Clean Water Coalition and city outline STEP septic‑to‑sewer subsidies and grant progress
Summary
The Clean Water Coalition and city staff described a subsidized STEP program that has driven down home connection costs through competitive bidding, used multiple grants to expand installations, and offers homeowners 10‑year 0% payment plans and waived connection fees.
Keith Durrett of the Clean Water Coalition told the commission that the STEP (septic‑to‑sewer) program partners with the city and local funders to subsidize homeowner conversions and drive down installation costs.
Durrett, identifying himself as vice president of the Clean Water Coalition and a Central Beach resident, said the program relies on multiple partners (Clean Water Coalition, Indian River Land Trust, Community Foundation, NEP grants and the Economic Opportunities Council for income qualification) and competitive bidding to reduce costs. He said the city carries capital equipment acquisition costs and issues equipment kits to plumbers to support installations.
Program details: Durrett said typical independent installation costs might be about $6,500, but the program has driven costs down to around $4,000 through competitive bids and packaged procurement. Homeowners in the program are required to be homesteaded (excluding commercial and investment properties) and may pay for equipment over 10 years at 0% interest; the city waived the $33.90 connection fee for participating homeowners.
Grants and scale: The program began as a pilot (~mid‑2024) with private donor funds ($240,000) and secured follow‑on NEP grants (about $199,500 and $255,000). Durrett reported contracting for 35 connections under the pilot and planning 47 connections from the NEP grant; combined, the first two grants are expected to fund about 100 connects. The program is coordinating with county quick‑connect opportunities (28 homes in Gifford identified) and pursuing additional grants for further basins.
Maintenance and operations: Durrett said the city utility accepts installations into the utility system so the utility performs pump‑outs, maintenance and repairs — avoiding a private‑liability model. City staff confirmed minimal maintenance has been required to date.
Why it matters: The program reduces upfront costs for lower‑income homeowners, accelerates water quality benefits by removing septic discharges, and may serve as a model for similar efforts. Commissioners asked about geographic expansion, project sequencing, and how the program will apply to unincorporated areas; staff described basin sequencing and grant applications for additional areas.
Next steps: Staff and partners will continue competitive procurement and grant applications, coordinate with county projects where beneficial, and report back as grants are executed and additional basins are scheduled.
