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Aside from nutrients — such as nitrogen and phosphorous — sewage also contains <br />coliform bacteria, viruses, prescription drugs and anything else flushed down the toilet, <br />LaPointe said. <br />A conservationist criticizes what he says is public leaders' reluctance to impose <br />measures to keep septic sewage from harming the lagoon's ecosystem. <br />"They have been neglecting, ignoring these septic systems," said Richard Baker, <br />president of the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Indian River County. "It s very <br />frustrating that we don't see more actions taking place. There's a lot of evidence that <br />groundwater is carrying sewage into the lagoon." <br />One option would be to install public sewer lines in areas that don't have them and <br />order nearby septic tank users to hook in, Baker said. Another would be toughen ing <br />codes to require faulty systems to be fixed or scrapped. <br />Property owners are some of the staunchest opponents to government telling them <br />what to do with their septic systems, especially if the changes cost money. Elected <br />leaders tend to align with their constituents. <br />Replacing a tank and drainfield costs between $5,000 and $7,000 depending on the <br />size of the home, according to vendors. If soil must be replaced, the cost of trucking in <br />sand can bump the price to $10,000 or more. <br />"You start telling people they got to pay that, they're going to tell you to stuff it," said <br />Franklin, who's hooked to county sewer but is sympathetic to neighbors with septic <br />tanks. <br />In 2003, Indian River County attempted to connect residents in Wabasso and Pine <br />islands to county sewer and water lines. County officials backed off when residents <br />complained they couldn't afford the costs, estimated at $5,000 or more. <br />SEEKING SUBSIDIES <br />Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc, who wants to restore the lagoon's health, <br />believes a surgical approach — targeting subpar septic tanks — is less divisive than <br />trying to overhaul an entire area such as the barrier island. <br />"We want to be practical," Zorc said. "You have to prioritize your areas. Not all systems <br />have to be replaced.' <br />g7 b4 <br />