BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Several Brevard County cities are accelerating a long-term push to move properties off septic systems and onto central sewer to reduce nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon.
The county and several cities are pairing sewer expansion with homeowner incentives, grants, and a multi-year schedule of connections intended to meet state requirements for lower-nitrogen systems by 2030.
Efforts are underway in the following cities:
- Cocoa
- Merritt Island
- Rockledge
- Palm Bay
- Titusville
Local programs vary: Palm Bay approved a four-year phased hookup plan with fees for homeowners and outreach starting next summer.
Brevard currently imposes a 0.5% half-cent sales tax dedicated to the Save Our Indian River Lagoon program, which has generated roughly $560 million since 2016.
The program funds sewer extensions and offers homeowner grants up to $20,000 for eligible septic upgrades when connection to the central sewer is not feasible.