FPUA expands septic‑to‑sewer program, approves sole‑source purchase and added budget authority

The Fort Pierce Utility Authority on Jan. 6 approved additional funding and an equipment purchase to expand its septic-to-sewer conversion program, officials said.

Cooper Krueger, wastewater collection maintenance supervisor, told the board that since the program began in 2020 FPUA has installed 102 low-pressure systems with seven more in construction or permitting for a total of 109; staff anticipates converting up to 150 additional septic systems this fiscal year as sewer expansion projects come online. He said the program had been budgeted at $300,000 per fiscal year and staff requested an additional $300,000 of contribution-in-aid funded budget authority, bringing the annual program budget to $600,000 going forward. "Since the inception of this program in 2020, FPUA has installed a 102 low pressure systems with an additional 7 currently either in construction or permitting phases," Krueger said.

Krueger asked the board to approve the initial purchase of 45 E1 low-pressure systems from Wazcon, identified in the presentation as a sole-source provider for the Southeast region, for $127,530 to address a growing list of customers ready to convert. Staff said funds for these purchases are contributions-in-aid (separate ledger) and not rate-funded; customers sign maintenance agreements and have payment options.

Staff reported there are 118 customers signed up in a specific Saint Lucia Village expansion with an expected 90–95% connection rate; the standard install cost cited in the presentation was about $10,300. Rachel, a staff member, directed board members to a financing chart on the program website (sustainablesewer.net) and summarized options: pay in full (about $10,300), 20% down with 0% interest for one year or 20% down with 6% for 10 years, and a lease option (with a capital-improvement charge of about $2,800 and lease payments thereafter).

Krueger and staff said there are several pending grants (staff cited roughly $1.215 million total across three pending grants, two federal) that could help reduce customer costs; staff cautioned that federal grants can be slower to obligate. Board members asked about annexation agreements and how liens or payment obligations transfer with property sales; staff said liens are placed so remaining balances transfer with property ownership.

A motion to approve the additional program funding and the initial purchase of low-pressure systems passed by roll call with all present members voting in favor.

Staff said they will continue to pursue grant funding and schedule installs as funding and customer readiness allow. The control room dedication and a ribbon-cutting for the new wastewater plant were announced in director comments later in the meeting.