SEBASTIAN — Sebastian city officials met with State Rep. Robbie Brackett on Wednesday to discuss a slate of recent legislation, including concerns over a state mandate pushing homeowners to shift from septic systems to county sewer lines.
The gathering focused on several bills making their way through Tallahassee, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 1379, which aims to curb pollution in sensitive waterways like the Indian River Lagoon.
“It was a great meeting that we had with Representative Brackett today and we’re pleased with what we heard,” Mayor Fred Jones said.
City Manager Brian Benton provided the details, outlining conversations on House Bill 105, a list of measures filed by Brackett himself, property tax referendum proposals, Senate Bills 180 and 160, sovereign immunity issues, and the one most affecting the local area: HB 1379’s septic-to-sewer requirements.
“We had a pretty good conversation about that and expressing our desire for the state to assist and offer some assistance in getting sewer connections to our residents,” Benton said. “We identified that as one of our major priorities, and any way that we can facilitate and utilize the state’s assistance in not only paying for it, but also getting the process started and getting it done.”
He added that they appreciated Brackett’s time and hoped for amendments to avoid negative impacts on the city as the legislative process unfolds.
The 2023 law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires properties with existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems in designated protection areas—such as the Indian River Lagoon—to either connect to centralized sewer or upgrade to enhanced nutrient-reducing systems by July 1, 2030. The goal is to slash nitrogen pollution contributing to algal blooms and environmental degradation in the lagoon, though functioning systems outside these zones aren’t required to change.
Many residents in Sebastian and the broader Indian River County have voiced worries about the mandate, with some criticizing that local government isn’t doing enough—particularly regarding the feasibility of hooking up to county sewer by the deadline. County utilities have faced challenges in expanding infrastructure, with sewer lines not yet available in all parts of the city, making full compliance a steep hurdle.
Officials noted that without state help in funding and expediting the work, the transition could prove difficult for local homeowners and the municipality alike.
In September, the City of Sebastian and Indian River County launched a collaboration to extend sewer lines in the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district and waterfront zone near Indian River Drive. A grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will assist residents and businesses within the CRA by covering costs to abandon their septic systems and connect to the new infrastructure. Homeowners in other parts of Sebastian are calling for similar financial aid, citing the high expenses associated with the required septic-to-sewer conversions.