HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-014ORDINANCE NO. 2018- .014
AN ORDINANCE OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TEXT OF
THE SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT AND THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF
THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; AND PROVIDING CODIFICATION,
SEVERABILITY, AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Indian River County Comprehensive
Plan on February 13, 1990; and
WHEREAS, the County received Comprehensive Plan amendment applications during its October
2017 amendment submittal window; and
WHEREAS, the Local Planning Agency, after due public notice, held a public hearing on this
comprehensive plan amendment request on February 8, 2018, and
WHEREAS, the Local Planning Agency, after receiving public comments, recommended that the
Board of County Commissioners transmit the comprehensive plan amendment listed below to State and
Regional review agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County held a Transmittal Public
Hearing on March 20, 2018, after due public notice, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners approved the transmittal of this comprehensive plan
amendment to State and Regional review agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners announced at the transmittal public hearing its
intention to hold an advertised final public hearing at the adoption stage of this plan amendment; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Amendment was transmitted to State and Regional review
agencies; and
WHEREAS, State and Regional review agencies had no objections to this amendment; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners held a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Adoption
Public Hearing on June 5, 2018, after due public notice, which was continued to their June 12, 2018
meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County,
Florida, that:
SECTION 1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Adoption and Transmittal
The amendment to the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan identified in Section 2
is hereby adopted, and the Board of County Commissioners directs staff to transmit the
amendment to the State and Regional review agencies.
1
ORDINANCE NO. 2018- 014
SECTION 2. Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
AMENDMENT OF THE TEXT OF THE SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT AND
THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN (APPENDIX A).
SECTION 3. Repeal of Conflicting Provisions
All previous ordinances, resolutions, or motions of the Board of County Commissioners
of Indian River County, Florida, which conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 4. Severability
It is declared to be the intent of the Board of County Commissioners that, if any provision
of this ordinance and therefore the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan Amendment is for
any reason finally held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
provision shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
SECTION 5. Effective Date
The effective date of this plan amendment, if the amendment is not timely challenged,
shall be 31 days after the state land planning agency notifies the local government that the plan
amendment package is complete. If timely challenged, this amendment shall become effective on
the date the state land planning agency or the Administration Commission enters a final order
determining this adopted amendment to be in compliance. No development orders, development
permits, or land uses dependent on this amendment may be issued or commence before it has
become effective. If a final order of noncompliance is issued by the Administration Commission,
this amendment may nevertheless be made effective by adoption of a resolution affirming its
effective status, a copy of which resolution shall be sent to the state land planning agency.'
This ordinance was advertised in the Press -Journal on the 20`'' day of May, 2018, for a
public hearing to be held on the 5` day of June 2018, at which time it was continued until the
June 12"' 2018 Board of County Commissioners meeting at which time it was moved for adoption
by Commissioner ScLar; , seconded by Commissioner F7 _&cber ,
and adopted by the following vote:
Peter D. O' Bryan, Chairman AYE
Bob Solari, Vice Chairman AYE
Joseph E. Flescher, Commissioner AYE
Timothy Zorc, Commissioner AYE
Susan Adams, Commissioner AYE
4
ORDINANCE NO. 2018- 014
•o��i7Y COAij��s
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION
.F�IS�:••''' •sem`=
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY r ;
Peter D. O'brydA, Chaiyacn• �oP>�'
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, C1_erk' !N......
�&�A and Comroller3Y:
Density Clerk ,
BCC Approved: June 12, 2018
This ordinance was filed with the Department of State on the following date
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
y15ylan Reingol , County Attorney,
APPROVED AS TO PLANNING MATTERS
Stan Boling, AICP; C- rAmunity Development Director
June 13, 2018
F:\Community DevelopmenWomprehensive Plan Text Amendments\2017 Sewer Policy Update\Resolution and Ordinance\Comp Plan Text
Amendment Adoption Ordinance - June 2018 Continued Public Hearing.doc
Indian River County
2030 Comprehensive Plan
Indian River County Community Development Department
Adopted: October 12, 2010
Supplement # ; Adopted , 2018, Ordinance 2018-.
Appendix A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 1
PURPOSE................................................................................................................................... 1
DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................................ 2
BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................ 4
HISTORY................................................................................................................................... 4
COUNTY UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.................................................................................... 4
CENTRALIZED REGIONAL SYSTEM................................................................................... 5
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................................. 8
SANITARY SEWER PROCESS............................................................................................... 8
Collection................................................................................................................................ 8
Treatment................................................................................................................................ 8
By -Product Disposal............................................................................................................... 9
PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM....................................................................................................... 9
South Regional Sewer Service Area..................................................................................... 10
WestSewer Service Area...................................................................................................... 11
Central Sewer Service Area.................................................................................................. 12
North Sewer Service Area........................:........................................................................... 13
City of Vero Beach Sewer Service Area............................................................................... 14
Finance.................................................:................................................................................ 16
PRIVATESEWER SYSTEMS................................................................................................ 18
SEPTICSYSTEMS.................................................................................................................. 19
Septic to Sewer Study: Evaluation and Ranking...................................................................... 23
REGULATORYFRAMEWORK................................................................................................ 25
FEDERAL................................................................................................................................. 25
STATE...................................................................................................................................... 25
LOCAL..................................................................................................................................... 26
ANALYSIS................................................................................................................................... 27
COLLECTION SYSTEM......................................................................................................... 27
ServiceArea.......................................................................................................................... 27
System Evaluation and Maintenance.................................................................................... 28
Service to New Development............................................................................................... 29
SepticSystems...................................................................................................................... 30
TREATMENT.......................................................................................................................... 35
PublicTreatment Plants........................................................................................................ 35
Private Treatment Plants....................................................................................................... 39
EFFLUENTDISPOSAL.......................................................................................................... 39
SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS................................................................................................... 40
GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES...................................................................................... 41
GOAL....................................................................................................................................... 41
Community Development Department Indian River County i
Appendix A
OBJECTIVE 1. Service Concurrent with Development..................................................... 41
OBJECTIVE 2 Regional System Expansion/Correction of Deficiencies .......................... 42
OBJECTIVE 3 Surface Water and Groundwater Quality .................................................. 43
OBJECTIVE 4 Water Conservation.................................................................................. 43
OBJECTIVE 5 Capital Improvements............................................................................... 44
OBJECTIVE 6, Package Treatment Plants......................................................................... 46
OBJECTIVE7 Septic Systems.......................................................................................... 48
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION....................................................................................................... 50
EVALUATION AND MONITORING PROCEDURES............................................................. 54
Community Development Department Indian River County ii
Appendix A
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3.A.1 Indian River County WWTF Service Areas.............................................................. 6
Figure 3.A.2 WWTF Capacity vs. Demand.................................................................................. 37
Community Development Department Indian River County iii
Appendix A
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 3.A.1 - SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY* ............... 7
TABLE 3.A.2 - COUNTY REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS ............ 15
TABLE 3.A.3 - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SUBDIVISIONS WITH INCREASED HEALTH
RISKS AND/OR INCREASED PROBABILITY OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
ASSOCIATED WITH CONTINUED SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM USE ...................................... 22
TABLE 3.A.3.1 - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LIST OF SUBDIVISIONS FOR SEPTIC TO
SEWER CONVERSION WITHIN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY AND CITY OF
SEBASTIAN................................................................................................................................. 24
TABLE 3.A.4 - REGULATION OF SEWAGE.......................................................................... 26
TABLE 3.A.5 - TYPICAL CONCENTRATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER,
SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT ..... 31
TABLE 3.A.6 - SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX....... 51
TABLE 3.A.7 - SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT EVALUATION MATRIX ................ 55
TABLE 3.A.8 - WATER & WASTEWATER CONNECTION MATRIX FOR NEW
DEVELOPMENT......................................................................................................................... 56
Community Development Department Indian River County 1V
Appendix A
INTRODUCTION
Wastewater is a term used to describe water leaving a site as sewage. Generally, this includes
water from the kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, dishwashers, clothes washers, and bath
tubs/showers. Each day, every person within Indian River County produces an average of 100
gallons of wastewater.
This wastewater has three possible destinations. First, it may enter an on-site sewage treatment
and disposal system OSTDS , usually a septic tank followed by a drainfield, where it receives a
minimum level of treatment. Second, it may go to a private sewage treatment plant, generally
located near the dwelling unit or other structure. Private treatment plants usually provide a
greater degree of treatment than septic systems. The third possible destination for wastewater is
a regional treatment plant. Such regional plants may be located many miles from the structure
where wastewater is generated. These plants generally provide a consistently greater degree of
treatment than either septic systems or private plants.
Wastewater treatment systems are comprised of three components; these are collection,
treatment, and disposal. The importance of each of these three components varies with the type
of wastewater system. This document will address the collection, treatment, and disposal
characteristics of septic systems, private treatment plants, and regional treatment systems.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element is to:
• identify existing and projected demand and need (demand - supply = need) for sanitary
sewer facilities based on the county's population, existing and future land use, capacity
of existing facilities and any future changes to these facilities;
• identify the operational responsibilities, geographic service areas and levels of service
provided by each facility;
• identify those areas where public sewer will and will not be provided; and
o
• identify environmentally sound methods of disposing of treated wastes and sludge from
treatment plants.
This sub -element will provide direction for the county in planning for the collection, treatment,
and disposal of wastewater in a manner consistent with federal, state and local laws. In addition,
the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element will identify proposed locations and levels of service of sanitary
sewer facilities. Finally, this element will establish sanitary sewer policies that complement the
county's future land use pattern and serve as a means of directing future growth in the county.
Community Development Department Indian River County 1
Appendix A
DEFINITIONS
Wastewater means untreated sewage.
Effluent means the liquid by-product of the wastewater treatment process.
Wastewater Collection Network means the system of pipes which convey the untreated
wastewater from individual homes and other establishments to the treatment plant.
Wastewater Interceptors are defined as parts of the collection system which connect directly to
and convey sewage to the treatment plant.
Wastewater Trunk Mains are components of the collection system which connect directly to and
convey sewage to the interceptors through a gravity system.
Pump Stations are mechanical devices used to pump sewage through the collection network
(force mains) for the purpose of transporting the untreated wastewater to the treatment plant.
Force Main means a pressurized segment of the collection system.
Wastewater Treatment Plant means the facility which functions to remove solid and organic
materials from the wastewater.
Wastewater Treatment Process is the means by which solid and organic materials are removed
from the untreated wastewater.
Level of Wastewater Treatment is defined by the proportion of solid and organic materials
removed from the wastewater. The most common levels of treatment are: primary, secondary,
and tertiary.
Primary Treatment removes between 30 and 35 percent of the organic material and up to 50
percent of the solids from the sewage. Because screens and settling tanks are the most common
methods used to remove the solids, this process is also referred to as physical treatment.
Secondary Treatment removes between 80 and 90 percent of the total organic material and
suspended solids from the sewage. This level of treatment generally requires multiple steps
involving one biological process and one or more physical processes for removal of suspended
solids.
Tertiary Treatment is a level of wastewater treatment which removes the organic material and
suspended solids, synthetic organic compounds and inorganic chemicals. If not removed, these
agents may cause pollution problems. Tertiary treatment adds steps to the primary and
secondary processes which will remove these pollutants. The most common tertiary processes
Community Development Department Indian River County 2
Appendix A
remove compounds of phosphorus and nitrogen. The effluent from advanced treatment.
processes often approaches the quality of drinking water.
Septic T •+L�nk-S, std are small scale wastewater treatment systems consisting of two.
components. Those components are typically a septic tank where solids settle out and biological
action occurs, and a drainfield where the remaining liquid is discharged and further treated.
Septic t systerns provide a minimal level of wastewater treatment.
Regional Wastewater Treatment Systems are large scale sanitary sewer systems comprised of
three components:, collection of raw sewage; treatment of the sewage; and the disposal of the
treated sludge and effluent.
Package :Wastewater Treatment Plants are small treatment systems designed and built in modular
units and having components similar to larger regional treatment facilities.
Infiltration means water, other than wastewater, that enters a sewer system (including sewer
service connections and foundation drains) from the ground through such means as defective
pipes, pipe joints, connections or manholes.
Inflow in water, other than wastewater, that enters a sewer system (including sewer service
connections) from sources such as, but not limited to, roof leaders, cellar drains, yard drains, area
drains, drains from springs and swampy areas, manhole covers, cross connections between storm
sewers and sanitary sewers, catch basins, cooling towers, storm waters, surface runoff, street
wash waters or drainage. .
Community Development Department Indian River. County 3
Appendix A
BACKGROUND
An important aspect of wastewater or sanitary sewer planning involves examining existing
conditions. Prior to that, however, it is helpful to consider the background or history of the
wastewater system in the county. That provides a perspective regarding county policy on this
matter. Instead of a static view of current conditions as the existing conditions section provides,
the background section identifies recent trends in this area.
HISTORY
A review of recent history shows that Indian River County has owned and operated sanitary
sewer facilities for only a relatively short time. Prior to the 1970's, the use of centralized
facilities which provide the highest level of treatment and efficiency was limited to the densest
and most intensely developed urban areas of the county. Those areas were located within or
adjacent to the City of Vero Beach. While centralized sewer service has been available to the
City of Vero Beach since 1926, the rest of the county did not have access to such service until
the late 1970's.
In the past, the use of privately owned sewer facilities provided the county with an alternative to
publicly owned, centralized sewer services. Private sewer facilities are operated by private
companies which are given the authority to provide wastewater service to specified areas. Most
private wastewater systems provide service only to an individual subdivision or development.
Prior to the establishment of the County Utilities Department in 1972, the regulation of
wastewater facilities rested with several state and federal agencies and often focused on the
permitting of new and the expansion of existing treatment facilities. By 1972, the regulatory
agencies were becoming more intent on discouraging the use of individual septic tanks and small
package systems.
COUNTY UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Authorized to develop procedures and standards for utilities in the county, the County Utilities
Department also issues utility permits. Initially formed to regulate privately owned utility
systems, the Utilities Department was also charged with establishing a countywide utilities
system. At the time that the utility department was created, centralized sewer services in the
county were provided by the City of Vero Beach, by private utility companies, and by private
systems serving individual buildings and developments. A majority of residential developments
in the unincorporated county, however, relied on individual septic tanks for wastewater treatment
and disposal.
In 1973, a master sewage plan was developed for the county. That plan identified the need for
publicly owned and operated regional facilities to protect the public health and prosperity of the
community. The plan outlined proposed service areas in the eastern portion of the county as well
Community Development Department Indian River County 4
Appendix A
as the necessary facilities and capitalization required to implement the plan.. The plan also
recommended eventually incorporating private sewer treatment facilities into the county system.
Also in 1973, the County and the City of Vero Beach entered into an agreement regarding the
provision of sanitary sewer. services. This agreement established boundaries for areas in the
county that would receive services from the city.
CENTRALIZED REGIONAL SYSTEM
The county's first direct provision of wastewater treatment services took place in 1978, as the
result of problems at two private sewer systems. The Gifford system (later to be known as the
Central Plant) and Ixora Park facilities had experienced system failures that resulted in the
release of raw sewage into the surrounding areas. Because of these problems and their
environmental impacts, the County Utilities Department assumed responsibility for the operation
of these plants. The Central Plant has since been expanded, while the Ixora plant has been
decommissioned.
In 1982, county wastewater services expanded when the Utilities Department took over the
operation of the Vista Royale and Vista Royale Gardens plants in the southern part of the county.
This expansion continued with construction of the West Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
which began operation in 1986. Located south of SR 60 and east of I-95, the West Regional
Plant provides wastewater service for the rapidly growing SR 60 Corridor area. In the early
1990's, the County took over the operation and the maintenance of the Blue Cypress Lake
Package Wastewater Treatment.facility.
Utilities system expansion continued in the 1990's. In. 1990, the county completed construction
of the North County Plant. Then, the County acquired the South County Plant from General
Development Utilities in 1993. In 1995, the county purchased the City of Sebastian's utilities
system.
In 1987, Indian River County adopted a Wastewater Master Plan which has been updated several
times since then, most recently in December 2004. That plan identified a system of wastewater
treatment facilities to accommodate the. anticipated growth of the county. The Master Plan
identifies five sewer service areas. Those areas are. North, West, Central, South, and City of
Vero Beach.
One publicly owned and operated regional wastewater treatment plant exists within each of the
five service areas. In addition to public facilities, septic tanks gj t and private treatment
facilities currently exist and will continue to exist in the county. -Table 3.A.1 lists existing
wastewater treatment plants .in Indian River. County with their capacity and service area.
Community Development Department Indian River County 5
Appendix A
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TABLE 3.A.1 - SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY*
* Excludes private permitted Industrial Waste Water facilities
SOURCE: Indian River County Utilities Department
Community Development Department
Indian River County
Appendix A
PUBLIC
PACKAGE
SERVICE AREA
DESIGN CAPACITY IN
OR
OPERATING
OR
GALLONS/DAY
FACILITY
PRIVATE
ENTITY
REGIONAL
1. North
public
IRC
regional
North of 77' Street to North County
850,000
County
Line & North Barrier Island
2. Central
public
IRC
regional
261 Street and Vero Beach City limits
4,000,000
County
to 691' Street
3. West
public
IRC
regional
South of 26' Street and west of City of
6,000,000
County
Vero Beach
4. S. County
public
IRC
regional
Southeast mainland
2,000,000
5. Vero
public
Vero Beach
regional
Vero Beach, Ind. Riv. Shores, S. Barrier
4,500,000
Beach
Island
6. Blue
public
IRC
package
Blue Cypress Improvement Dist.
17.00028;800
Cypress
7. Sun -Ag
private
Sun -Ag Co.
package
Sun -Ag Mobile Home Park near
50,000
MHP
Fellsmere
8. Sun -Ag
private
Sun -Ag Co.
package
Sun -Ag Packinghouse near Fellsmere
2,500
Packing-
house
9. Su -Rene Mobile
private
Su -Rene
package
Su -Rene Mobile Home Park
5,000
Home Park
10. Royal Oak
private
Royal Oak
package
Royal Oak Mobile Home Park
5,000
Mobile Home Park
* Excludes private permitted Industrial Waste Water facilities
SOURCE: Indian River County Utilities Department
Community Development Department
Indian River County
Appendix A
EXISTING CONDITIONS
In assessing existing conditions, it is necessary to address the sanitary sewer system on several
levels. First, it is necessary to differentiate among the various types of systems in the county.
This involves separate consideration of the publicly -owned sewer systems, the privately -owned
sewer systems, and individual septic systems. Second, it is necessary to identify individual
service areas for both the public system and private systems. Finally, it is necessary to assess
each type of system and service area in terms of collection, treatment, and disposal.
SANITARY SEWER PROCESS
Within the county, there are various sanitary sewer systems and service areas. Although specific
aspects of the sanitary sewer process vary with the type of system, certain characteristics are the
same, regardless of system type.
Collection
Once wastewater is generated by residences, businesses, industries, and other land uses, it is then
conveyed from an individual establishment to a wastewater treatment plant by the collection
network. Alternatively, the wastewater may go to an individual septic tank for on-site treatment.
Where a centralized system is involved, however, the collection network is generally laid out in a
pattern roughly comparable to the branching pattern of a tree. Whereas the smallest sewer pipes
connect individual establishments to components of the collection system called trunk mains and
interceptors, interceptors and trunk mains connect with and convey wastewater directly to the
treatment plant.
Treatment
After being collected, wastewater is processed by a wastewater treatment plant. Presently, both
Indian River County and the City of Vero Beach maintain regional wastewater treatment plants.
In addition to those five regional facilities, there are four private package wastewater treatment
facilities and the one public package treatment facility (the Blue Cypress Lake wastewater
treatment plant) in the county. The existing wastewater treatment plants use a variety of methods
to treat wastewater.
Once at the treatment plant, the wastewater is treated to remove solid and organic materials. The
level of processing of the wastewater is either primary, secondary, advanced secondary, or
tertiary. Overall, the treatment level is based on the treatment method and the proportion of
materials removed from the wastewater.
Community Development Department Indian River County 8
Appendix A
In addition to differences in the methods of treating wastewater, the :existing wastewater
treatment plants also differ. in the capacity of the facilities. Expressed in terms of gallons of
wastewater per day, the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant is the number of gallons of
wastewater that the plant can treat and dispose of on an average daily basis.
By -Product Disposal
The by-products of the .treatment process are effluent, screenings and grit, as well as sludge and
septage. Effluent. is liquid waste. At county operated wastewater treatment facilities, effluent is
usually disposed of through either discharge to a percolation pond, through wetlands; or by
reuse. Reuse is an effluent disposal method involving spray irrigation.
Screenings and grit are the accumulated coarse sewage solids retained by the screening process.
Screenings and grit are disposed of at the county landfill
Sludge and septage are the biological organisms that accumulate in the plant. Prior to final
disposal, sludge is usually subjected to an additional biological treatment process to remove
pathogens. Sludge is then. transported to the County's Residual DewateringFacility (RDF),.
where along ith grease they are subject It is to a physical dewatering processes
which facilitates transpeftation and disposal.
f milt -y at the Geunty 4a dfi . A screw conveyor is used to transfer the dried cake to a truck for
hauling to the landfill for ultimate disposal.
PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM
The five geographic areas comprising the county public sewer system are: the south regional
area, the west regional area, the. central regional area, the north regional area, and the City of
Vero Beach service area. Within the county system, the south county regional plant is connected
to the west county regional plant; the north county regional plant is connected to the central
county regional plant; and there is a limited connection between the central regional plant and
west regional plant. Because the county's regional wastewater treatment plants are
interconnected, there is flexibility as to which plant or plants will need to be expanded to
accommodate future demand.
At the county's central plant, the county also treats the City of Fellsmere's sewage for a bulk
rate. Currently, the city's average daily sewer flow is about 71,000 gallons per day, with a
maximum flow of 100,000 gallons per day.
Besides its regional plants, Indian River County also operates the Blue Cypress Lake package
treatment facility.
Community Development Department Indian River County 9
Appendix A
In -2006 2017, 21,34 M,167 (47.24%44.39%) of the uninee~pe~^*^a eount ''^ 59,6184 88
residential and commercial parcels within the County's service area
were connected tote oun 's regional sewer system. r�fn`- all --eustonref;-af the
South Regional Sewer Service Area
The South Regional Sewer Service Area is located in the southeast portion of the mainland and
contains the South Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (SRWWTF). The SRWWTF is a
2,000,000 GPD facility which uses biological nutrient removal to provide a tertiary filtration
level of treatment. Effluent from the SRWWTF is reused at vafieus eaunty 64esfar spray
irriization or discharged into percolation ponds or discharged into the 169 acre man-made
wetland on the West Regional WWTF site.
In addition to force mains along US 1, the South Regional Service Area collection system
currently extends to the Vero Shores, Garden Grove, and Grove Isle developments, portions of
the Vero Beach Highlands residential subdivision, and other subdivisions within the southern
portion of the county.
South Regional
Plant
Public or Private
Public
Operating Entity
Indian River County
Geographic service area
South County Area
Design capacity in GPD
2,000,000
Current demand in GPD 2017
4-, ,009 813,000
Level of Service
250 GPD/ERU
Projected facility needs
1,850,000 al./day 2030
Effluent Disposal Method
Reuse
Effluent Disposal Site
Various
Level of Treatment
Tertiary Filtration
Treatment Method
Biological Nutrient Removal
Screenings/Grit Disposal Site
Landfill
Sludge and Se to a Disposal Site
Sludge Facility at Landfill
Community Development Department
10
Indian River County
Appendix A
West Sewer Service Area
The West Regional Service Area includes the unincorporated SR 60 corridor area and the area
southwest of Vero Beach. Within the West RegionalService Area, there is one wastewater
treatment plant. The West Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is located south of
8th Street, north of 4th Street, and between 90th Avenue and 82nd Avenue.
This plant, with a 6,000,000 GPD capacity, uses biological nutrient removal to provide a tertiary
filtration level of treatment. Presently, effluent from this treatment facility is reused . for spray
irrigation or discharged into a ±1694 acre man-made wetland on the treatment plant site.
The West Regional Service Area force mains extend from the West Regional WWTF along the
SR 60 corridor and along 66th Avenue from SR 60 to 4th Street. Force mains also extend from
the West County Plant along 82nd Avenue to the Oslo Road/74th Avenue commercial/industrial
node and to the SR 60/I-95 commercial/industrial node. The system serves the Heritage Village,
Countryside, Cambridge Park, Indian River Estates, Village Green, Vista Plantation, Lake in the
Woods, Sixty Oaks, and Rivera Estates residential developments.
West Regional
Plant
Public or Private
Public
Operating Entity
Indian River County
Geographic service area
SR 60 Corridor west of 58th Avenue
Design capacity in GPD
6,000,000
Current demand in GPD 2017
4-,930,000 2,214,000
Level of Service
250 GPD/ERU
Projected facility needs
4,850,000 al./da (2030)
Effluent Disposal Method
Reuse Irrigation/Wetlands Treatment
Effluent Disposal Site
Golf Courses & West Reg. Wetlands
Level of Treatment
Tertiary Filtration
Treatment Method
Biological Nutrient Removal
Screenings/Grit Disposal Site
Landfill
Sludge and Se to a Disposal Site
Sludge Facility at Landfill
Community Development Department
11
Indian River County.
Appendix A
Central Sewer Service Area
The Central Regional Sewer Service Area includes the portion of the mainland generally
bounded by I-95 on the west, 691h Street on the north, the Indian River Lagoon on the east, and
the City of Vero Beach and 26th Street on the south. This plant located north of 49th Street, in the
unincorporated community of Gifford. The Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility
(WWTF) is located within the service area.
This plant, with a 4,000,000 GPD capacity, uses contact stabilization and extended aeration to
provide a tertiary filtration level of treatment. Presently, effluent from the treatment facility is
discharged into percolation ponds or reused for spray irrigation.
Collection lines extend from the plant along 49th Street, between 58rd Avenue and US 1, along
58th Avenue from 26th Street to 65th Street, along 53rd Street from 58th Avenue to the Lateral H
canal and along US 1 from 69th street to Indian River Memorial Hospital. The system also
extends to the Bent Pine and Grand Harbor residential developments, and to much of the Gifford
community.
The Central Regional WWTF is presently accepting flow from the North Regional Wastewater
Treatment Facility, which is temporarily on stand-by. The flow is being transferred from the
north facility to the central facility via a 16" transmission force main located along Old Dixie
Highway from 77th Street to 53rd Street, then into the Central Regional WWTF along the Lateral
H canal.
Central Re ional Plant
Public or Private
Public
Operating Entity
Indian River County
Geographic service area
Vero Beach City Limits to 69th St.
Design capacity in GPD
4,000,000
Current demand in GPD 2017
4,834;8A9 2,253,000
Level of Service
250 GPD/ERU
Projected facility needs
4,250,000 al./da 2030)
Effluent Dis osal'Method
Reuse Irrigation/Rib Basin
Effluent Disposal Site
Various Golf Courses
Level of Treatment
Tertiary Treatment
Treatment Method
Contact Stabilization/Extended Aeration
Screenings/Grit Disposal Site
Landfill
Sludge and Se to a Disposal Site
Sludge Facility at landfill
Community Development Department Indian River County
12 Appendix A
North Sewer Service Area
The North Sewer Service Area lies north of 77th Street and encompasses the area between I-95
and the Atlantic Ocean. Within this service area, there is one wastewater treatment plant
operated by the county. This plant is the North Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility
(WWTF).
The North County Plant is an 850,000 GPD facility which uses an oxidation ditch and extended
aeration to provide a tertiary filtration level of treatment. Effluent from the North County Plant
is discharged into percolation ponds or reused for spray irrigation.
North Regional Plant
Public or Private
Public
Operating Entity
Indian River County
Geographic service area
77th Street to North County Line
Design capacity in GPD
850,000
Current demand in GPD 2017
Flow transferred to Central Regional Plant
Level of Service
250 GPD/ERU
Projected facility needs
4,850,009 2,000,000 al./da (2030)
Effluent Disposal Method
Percolation Pond/Spray Pond/SprayIrrigation
Effluent Disposal Site
Golf Courses
Level of Treatment
Tertiary Filtration
Treatment Method
Oxidation Ditch/Extended Aeration
Screenings/Grit Disposal Site
Landfill
Sludge and Se tage Disposal Site
I Sludge Facility at landfill
Collection lines extend south from the North County Plant along Old Dixie Highway to 73rd
Street. From there, the lines extend east into the Copeland's Landing residential development.
To the north, lines extend along the US 1 corridor to the county line. A force main runs along
CR 512, from US 1 to I-95, and north along Roseland Road from CR 512 to approximately %4
mile north of Main Street. Another force main extends west along Main Street from US 1 to
approximately halfway to Roseland Road. Collection lines, including a force main along the
north two miles of Roseland Road, extend to the Roseland area. Collection lines also extend to
several residential developments on the north barrier island, including Sea Oaks, Windsor, and
the Town of Orchid.
Presently, the North Regional WWTF is temporarily shut down, and the flow is being transferred
to the Central Regional WWTF via a 16' force main along Old Dixie Highway from 77th Street
to 53`d Street and then along the Lateral H canal into the Central Regional WWTF.
Community Development Department Indian River County
13 Appendix A
City of Vero Beach Sewer Service Area
The City of Vero Beach sewer service territory encompasses the City of Vero Beach, most of the
Town of Indian River Shores (one multiple -family residential complex is excluded), and the
portion of the barrier island south of the City of Vero Beach. In addition, it serves some of the
unincorporated county area around the city.
The Vero Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant has a design capacity of 4,500,000 GPD. The
method of treatment consists of complete mix activated sludge, followed by water reclamation
processes that include tertiary filtration and high level disinfection. Most effluent from this plant
is used for irrigation by golf courses and residential developments. Dufing and immediately
reuse. The remainder is disposed of via deep injection well.
City of Vero Beach Plant
Public or Private
Public
Operating Entity
City of Vero Beach
Geographic service area
City of Vero Beach; Town of Indian River
Shores; South Barrier Island
Design capacity in GPD
4,500,000
Current demand in GPD ZQ 171
3,500., 000
Level of Service
250 GPD/ERU
Projected facility needs
4,000,000 al./da 2030
Effluent Disposal Method
Reuse Deep
Injection Well
Effluent Disposal Site
Residential Landscapes/Golf Courses
Level of Treatment
Secondary/High Level Disinfection
Treatment Method
Activated Sludge/Filtration
Screenings/Grit Disposal Site
Landfill
Sludge and Se tage Disposal Site
Landfill
Table 3.A.2 summarizes the county regional wastewater treatment system.
Community Development Department
14
Indian River County
Appendix A
Comprehensive. Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
TABLE 3.A.2 - COUNTY REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
SERVICE
TREATMENT',
DESIGN,
8999= " '
'TYPES OF
TREATMENT METHOD
TREATMENT .
EFFLUENT,
PROPORTIONAL '
AREA —
PLANT
CAPACITY
DEMAND
LAND USES
"
LEVEL
DISPOSAL METHOD
'ALLOCATION
IN GPD
INGPD
SERVED:.
;
NORTH
North County
850,000
Flow
residential,
oxidation ditch and extended
tertiary
percolation pond and.
60% Sebastian, 30%
transferred to
commercial,
aeration
spray irrigation
IRC,
Central Plant
industrial
10% Fellsmere
CENTRAL
Central County
4,000,000
1534,890
residential,
contact stabilization and
tertiary
percolation pond and
100% IRC
2,253,000
commercial,
extended aeration
spray irrigation
includes flow
industrial
from north
regional
WEST
West County
6,000,000
-1950,,899
residential,
biological nutrient removal
tertiary
spray irrigation and on-
100% IRC
2.214.000
commercial,
site wetland
industrial
SOUTH
South County
2,000,000
1;634,899
residential,
Biological nutrient removal
tertiary
spray irrigation,
100% IRC
813.000
commercial,
percolation pond and
-
industrial-
West Regional Wedand
VERO
City of Vero
4,500,000
3,500,000
residential,
complete mix activated
tertiary
spray irrigation
65% Vero Bch., 24%
BEACH
Beach
commercial,
sludge and high level
BRC,
industrial
disinfection
11 % Indian River
Shores
TOTAL
17,350,000
8,918,099
8.780.000
Community Development Department Indian River County 15
Comprehensive Plan
Finance .
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
Financially, the Indian River County Utilities Department is an enterprise system. That means
that there is no general tax money allocated for the construction or expansion of utility services.
Instead, the County Utilities Department's revenue comes from sources such as water sales,
meter installation charges, hydrant maintenance tax, sewer service charges, 'effluent reuse sales,
penalties, service charges, capacity charges, and other sources which make the utility department
financially self-sufficient.
According to cGounty regulations, most parcels within 200 feet of a county sewer line must
connect to the county system. Upon connection, a customer incurs certain charges. Those
charges generally cover the costs of capacity producing facility capital improvements. Some
charges, however, can be incurred even before connection. Because unused capacity can be
reserved for future development, wastewater treatment plants are developed with excess
capacity. Since maintaining that excess capacity increases operation and maintenance costs, a,
monthly base facility charge applies to capacity reserved for future development.
Other charges include the following:
Wwaste water treatment charges
• volume charges
• customer charges
• connection charges
• meter re -reads and leak inspection charges
• delinquency charges
• general service call charges
• meter calibration charges
• damage repair charges
• engineering services charges
• deposits required upon opening
• charges for transferring or reconnecting a service
• additional charges for complex connections
Some charges, such as connection fees, vary based on meter size or type of commercial use. The
Utilities Department may use these revenues to expand facilities or to modify the existing
system. These funds can be used for either capital or operating needs.
Another source of revenue, which can be used only to offset a portion of the capital cost of
expanding system capacity, is the capacity charge. Capacity charges pay for certain necessary
improvements that must be made in order to provide added capacity to meet the needs of new
Community Development Department Indian River County 16
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
residents as well as industrial and business establishments anticipated in future years. The
remaining capital cost is recouped through monthly charges.
As a payment option for extension of the sewer collection system, the county allows a
contribution in aid of construction. After the installation of sewage collection facilities by a
developer, title to those facilities is transferred to the county. The referenced facilities may be
"on-site" or "off-site." These options are discussed below.
• On -Site Facilities
Each developer is responsible for the design, installation, inspection, and testing of the complete
sewage collection system located within the boundaries of the developer's property.
• Off-site Facilities
The location, size or proposed density or intensity of a development project may make service to
the property dependent upon the extension of off-site sewage collection facilities. Off-site
facilities are those mains, sewage collection lines, sewage force mains, and/or pumping stations
adequate in size to transmit sewage collected on the developer's property to a treatment plant or
disposal site. .
The county's policy is to expand its sewer system in an orderly and economical manner. That
expansion schedule, however, does not always coincide with a developer's plans. In cases where
the county does not plan to expand its system to serve a project in the timeframe required by a
developer, the developer is required to construct or pay the cost of off-site facilities associated
with that project when the following conditions exist:
• such an extension would require an extraordinary expenditure by the county for
transmission facilities; and
• such expenditure would cost more than the county's standard capacity charge.
In that event, the county may negotiate an agreement which enumerates the following:
the county's responsibility to provide service to the development and possibly
reimburse the developer for oversized facilities; and
the developer's responsibility to construct and dedicate to the county the off-site
facilities (possibly oversized to meet future demands).
Community Development Department
Indian River County 17
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Refundable Advances
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
In addition to a contribution in aid of construction of off-site facilities, the county may require a
refundable advance by a developer to further temporarily defray the cost of any "off-site"
extension of water and/or sewer mains and pumping stations necessary to connect the
developer's property to the county's water and sewer facilities. This provision recognizes
instances in which a developer may be required to advance funds to construct off-site facilities
sized in accordance with the County's Master Plan. All amounts expended by a developer
pursuant to such an agreement, over and above the developer's need for off-site facilities, may be
refunded to the developer in accordance with the terms and conditions of a refunding agreement
which the county executes with the developer. When the county deems it to be in the best
interest of the county utility system, the County may assume a portion of the material cost of
such projects. Generally, refund agreements provide for a plan of refund based upon the
connection of other properties served by the "off-site" facilities installed by the developer.
Assessment
Another funding option available to the county is assessment. With this method, the Board of
County Commissioners may assess benefitting property owners a proportional share of the cost
of any county project, including utility line extensions. Assessment projects may be initiated by
either the Board or property owners. For utility line extensions, main transmission or collection
lines (Master Plan lines) are not included in the assessment calculations. Those lines are funded
through other sources. Generally, assessments may be financed for up to 10 years, with
assessment -interest rates set by the Board of County Commissioners in January of each year.
Usually, the Board adopts the prime rate.
PRIVATE SEWER SYSTEMS
Indian River County has four active private sewer systems, each of which uses package
treatment plants. Two of the county's private plants are operated by the Sun -Ag company.
Those plants are located near the City of Fellsmere, outside of the county's service area. One of
those plants serves a mobile home park, while the other serves a packinghouse. Both of those
facilities use extended aeration to provide a secondary level of treatment. Effluent at those plants
is disposed of through a percolation pond.
The county's other private systems are located at the Su -Rene mobile home park and Royal Oak
mobile home park in the unincorporated county. Those facilities use extended aeration to
provide a secondary level of treatment. Effluent at those plants is disposed of through a
percolation pond.
Community Development Department Indian River County 18
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
SEPTIC TANKSSYSTEMS
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
The third type of sanitary sewer system is an onsite sewage and treatment and disposal system
(OSTDS) which may be utilized under certain conditions when a private or publicly owned
centralized sewer system is unavailablein the eeunt . is the individual system iQaIR ) , septie
tank. -Septic systems are generally small and designed to serve one or a limited number of fund
usesfacilities and are sized based on estimated water use.
Despite major expansion of the wastewater collection network, many fe4dents—developed
commercial and residential parcels within the unincorporated portion of the county do not have
access to regional wastewater treatment facilities or package treatment plants. For those land
uses, wastewater treatment and disposal is provided by individualsepticsystems. Based on
the Florida Department of Health Waste Water Inventory for 2015,Indinn PUVer-
Gettnt�, Health Depat4meat (IR
an estimated 45% of the developed .commercial and
residential parcels in Indian River County are served by public sanitary sewer and an estimated
55% of the remaining developed commercial and residential parcels are served by septic
systems. From 2007 through 2016, there were an average of 65&-121 new septic systems
constructed annually with steadily increasing numbers from 2013 to 2016. Even so, the average
number of new septics stomper year (121) is significantly lower than the 658 newsystems per
year average for the 1995 — 2006 period. The average number of septic systems repairs per year
for the 2007-2016 period was 591. . Of
these septie tanks, % to 8-131a wefe fef eenmnereial uses. There are commercial and industrial
corridors that are served by septic systems such as portions of US Hwy 1, Old Dixie Hw,y and
Oslo Road. Most of the residential septic systems are concentrated in Roseland, Sebastian, Vero
Lake Estates, and south of the City of Vero Beaeh State Road 60.
A septic tank -system consists of two components. One is the septic tank, while the other is the
drainfield. The tank receives sewage from the residence or commercial establishment and
provides a period of settling, during which time a significant portion of the solids settle out. The
treatment process is accomplished by bacteria that gradually decompose the solids which settle
to the bottom of the septic tank. The remaining liquid or effluent is discharged through
underground drainage pipes into the drainfield and -where it percolates into the soil. Once in the
soil, microorganisms and filtration preeesses uri€y-treat the liquids. ,
As part of routine maintenance, the accumulated solids should must -be removed from the septic
tank every 3 to 5 years by a licensed contractor. Pwse-The solids, called septage, are generally
transported to .the residual
dewateringfacility next to the county landfill.
Septic tank—systems provide minimal on-site wastewater treatment for beth esidential and small
-
seale—commercial developments. Fenerally;Tynically, a 3 -bedroom residential septic tanks
s sy tem range in e aeity from 900 te 1000 allenshas 'a 900- gallon septic tank and 375 square
Community Development Department Indian River County 19
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
feet of trench drainfield. Commercial septic tanks systems vary depending on estimated water
use. , . Since effluent from septic tanks is discharged to a drainfield
where it ' percolates into the soil, soil permeability and depth to the water table are
limiting factors for septic tank -5 sem use. To ensure adequate performance and protection of
groundwater quality, elevation of septic .kw&l s• them drainfields is.often required. All OSTDS
(septic system) permitting is done by the Florida Department of Health in Indian River CountX.
(DOH -Indian River
According to the IF�'T1T`, Tai n Diver- Camey -DOH-Indian River it is challenging to4&-a
diffie �t-permit septic systems installations in the "county mere
aredue to several factors whieh aeeountfer-tkis-di ou hese-€aeter-s-areincludina::
0--a higl wet season water table of Tess than 104nches as described in the USDA
Soil Survey . ; and
the presence of restrictive low permeable.soil strata;
platted or recorded parcels less than %2 acre; and
• setbacks from surface waters and/or wells.
kVIAP"
Now
The areas of the county having' Excessively Drained Soils" and "Moderately Drained Soils are
better suited for septic tamsystems. As shown on Figure 3.E.1 of the Stormwater Manag6me
Sub -Element, even" these. two soil types have limitations with respect to septic tank -system
suitability. While moderately drained soils have a severe limitation rating for septic "tank -system
suitability, excessively drained soils percolate so rapidly that they provide very poor filtration.
Septic tanks systems on these soils have a potential for causing groundwater contamination.
Areas of excessively drained soils in Indian River County are tvnically adiacent to waterbodies
including canals, St. Sebastian. River, and the Indian River Lagoon.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) establishes the rules for. septic
system Mnitti,n&--'quirvs . di . at a septie tank system have a nainimum of 42 inehe� 6f well
Community Development Department Indian River County 20
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer. Sub -Element
During the wet. season;nwAths-ef
June through October;'the season ef ,..,,...:est _ inf '.', the water table in much of the county ffmy
his less than 24-10inches below this ktfilt acing su the existing .natural grade.
Therefore, fill material is often placed on top of existing soil creating a mound to achieve the
required 24 inch separation between the bottom of the drainfield and the wet season water table.
This fill material; which provides the depth necessary ,for the proper operation of the septic tank
system, erects -sand �#at puri€y the ,iqt :a., dis6hak- g a the
0ai el typically contains slightly limited soils . 'that treat effluent discharged into the
drainfield.
The DOH. has determined that the average life of a residential septic system . (including
drainfield) is 19 years and that of a commercial system is 10 years. Routine maintenance and
proper use can extend the life of a septic system. When septic systems are repaired: the DOH
allows for a drainfield replacement according .to the rules .in place at .the time of original
construction: Most repairs for parcels developed prior to 1983 are permitted with only a 6 inch
separation between the bottom of the drainfield and the wet season water table rather than 24
inches.
In, low density areas with adequate soils where septic tanks systems are appropriate, there can
still. be. problems if septic tanks systems are not maintained. Generally, septic tanks need to be
pumped every 3 to 5 years. While there are private septic tank service
companies which etpumpseptic tanks and haul away septage, it is the septic tank owner
who is responsible for ,initiating maintenance activities,. Improperly maintainedsepticsystems
can cause a system failure and a sanitary nuisance often reauirini a repair of:the septic system.
Besides soil and groundwater conditions, adverse
impacts may arise tke_, a -due to inadequate separation: between septic tank
system drainfields and wells or waterbodies. Without adequate separation, the potential of
contamination from septic tattEs7systems seeping into wells or waterbodies is greatly increased.
The DOH requires a minimum separation of 75 feet between wells and
septic aeks systems for parcels recorded or:platted after 1972. Oeuer-al�y, theThe DOHS
requires that -new. construction lets -utilizing a well and septic -tank systems to be a minimum of %2
acre (approximately 20,00)--_21 780 square feet). If a lot is served by a public water system, a
septic tank] sy tem may be used. even if the lot is as small as '/4 acre, (approximately W,000
10,890 square feet).
There are many areas of the county in which existing subdivisions contain lots which do not
meet the minimum acreage requirements. Nevertheless,ap rcels
recorded or Dlatted .Drior to 1972. that are smaller than 21:780. and 10,890 sauare feet are
Grandfathered in and are beina developed and repaired based on lot flow allowances Oesideftfial
Community Development Department Indian River County 21
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
utilizing e septic tank systems. without
eenneeted te the fegienal potable water system. Table 3.A.3 lists subdivisions in the county
urban service area that are significantly less than 10.:890 square feet or constructed with older
block septic 'tanks posing an w.M increased health risks and/or increased probability of
groundwater contamination associated with continued septic system use.
tank.and a solid -by pr-eduet ealled septage. While septie tank effluent is disehafged inte a dr-aifffield
Periedieally, the
F e..; i s typie.Ally thr-ee te &e yeafs; Fer- land uses whieh generate large "antities of
wastewater-, e intefval between removal times may be as aee a menth. The size e
&pM septie tanks, private eentfaeter-s must hem! the septage to the raeunty's sitt4ge and septage
TABLE 3.A.3 - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SUBDIVISIONS WITH INCREASED HEALTH
RISKS AND/OR INCREASED PROBABILITY OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
ASSOCIATED WITH CONTINUED SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM USE
1. Oslo Park
2. Paradise Park
3. Stevens Park
4. Durrance Place
5. West Wabasso
Source: DOH.- Indian River Geunl kea ftz and r ldil;, Departments
Besides the above list of subdivisions with increased health risk and potential for localized
located close to the Indian River. Laaoon. the 'St. Sebastian .River, or to drainage canals or other
streams/surface waters potentially resulting in a disproportionally higher negative impact on
Indian River Lagoon water quality. In.2016, county Utilities Services funded a septic to sewer
study to identify and. rank those platted subdivisions served by septic systems that have a
.disproportionately higher negative_impact on the Indian River Lagoon. The study was performed
by Schulke Bittle and Stoddard, LLC (SBS), was .accepted by the. Board of County
Commissioners on July 10, 2017, and is available online via the county website.
Community Development Department Indian River County 22
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Septic to Sewer Study: Evaluation and Ranking
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
The goal of the study Was to identify and rank the areas of septic system use having
disproportionately higher potential for negative lagoon impact based on various physical and
environmental. factors, and to determine the feasibility of incorporating septic to sewer
Evaluation Final Report; Ca
pTec Enpineerine. Inc.; February 13, 2015) and Brevard County
(Save Our Lagoon Project Plan for Brevard County, Florida; TetraTech; Inc and CloseWaters
LLC; July 28, 2016). The IRC formula was .modified from the formulas used in the Martin and
Brevard studies to consider and weigh physical and environmental factors that SBS and IRC staff
determined would better represent Indian River County conditions. In the IRC study, the
following factors were used in the initial ranking of the three hundred and twen -five 3251
platted subdivisions currently served by septic tanks with respect to potential negative impacts
on the lagoon:
• Population Density for Loading Concentrations
• Proximity to Surface Waters
• Location of the Community in Relation to the 100 -year Flood Plain — FEMA Flood Plain
• Depth of the Ground Water Table
• Soil Conditions of the Drain Field — Soil Type
• Age of the Surface. Water Management System
• Age of the Existing Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS)
Each factor was evaluated for every one of the 325 subdivisions and assigned an index number
that generallv ranged from 0 to 12. with 0 being the minimum and 12 being the maximum
impact. The formula used to determine the ranking was simply the sum of all factor values for
that subdivision. The higher the sum (the "score"). the higher the estimated Dotential negative
In the study, the 325 subdivisions served by septic systems were ranked in order where number
1 had the highest negative lagoonpact 89.19) and number 325 had the lowest negative
impact (26.97). Once the initial ranking was finalized, an Engineers Opinion of Probable Cost
(OPC.) was estimated for the top thirty five (35) ranked subdivisions having the highest
negative impacts. Those top 3 5 ranked subdivisions were further evaluated based on the
followina factors:
I . Aquatic Health - Environmental Impact Evaluation or the Initial Ranking
2. Sewer System Evaluation and Cost Data
3. Total Nitrogen (TN)/Total Phosphorus (TP)
4. Public Health - Based on the availabilitypotable water
Community Development Department
Indian River County 23
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
The study evaluated the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) that could be
removed from the environment b; septic to sewer conversion and calculated a cost
per pound for TN removal f o r e a c h o f the top 3 5 ranked Subdivisions.' TP
calculations were removed from the analysis since most technical references and studies
show that phosphorus is adequately removed by a properly functioning septic
benefit compared to the conversion project cost (see Table 3.A.3.1).
TABLE 3.A.3.1 - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LIST OF SUBDIVISIONS FOR SEPTIC TO
SEWERCONVERSION WITHIN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY. AND CITY OF
SEBASTIAN, "ATT, ` OWN OF O Cur9
Rank
Subdivision Name
Rank
Subdivision Name
Rank
Subdivision Name
1
Floravon Shores Subdivision
14
Sebastian Highlands Unit 02
24
Dales Landing Subdivision
Tropic Colony Subdivision
Replat PG 2
2
Sebastian Highlands Unit 02 Collier
14
Hobart Landing Unit 3
24rAg,;
(,,,,, (Aef 011
3
Sebastian Highlands Unit 05
16
River Shores Estates Units 1-
29
Winter Grove Subdivision
4
4
Hobart Landing Unit 2
17
Pine Tree Park Units 1-4
29
Kanawah Acres
5
Orchid Island No. 2
17
Indian River Heights Units 1
31
Tropic Colony Subdivision
-9
5
Sebastian Highlands Unit 04
17
Sebastian Highlands Unit 02
32
Halleluiah Acres
Replat PG 3
7
Orchid Island No. 1
20
Rain Tree Corner Subdivision
33
Little Portion Subdivision
Replat.OF
8
Sebastian Highlands Unit 01
21
1 Diana Park Subdivision
34
Sebastian Highlands Unit 02
Reolat PG 4 *
8
Ambersand Beach Sub No 1 & 2
22
Verona Estates Subdivision
35
Heritage Trace at Hobart*
10
Sebastian Highlands Unit 03
22
Sebastian Highlands Unit 13:
Little Portion Subdivision
Replat Of
11
Sebastian Highlands Unit.02
24
Hobart Landing Unit 1
11
1 Narania TR Shellmound Bch Replat of POR
1 24
1 Hallmark Ocean Subdivision
13Orchid
Isle Estates Subdivision
24
Stevens Park Unit 1 & 2
* These communities are included in the evaluation due to their proximity to one or more top 30 ranked communities.
**
It recommended that the Amos subdivision riot be considered in the capital improvement program. Ranking results are due to an
anomaly in the methodology.
Community Development Department
Indian River County 24
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
The wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system is regulated by various agencies at all
levels of government. Table 3.A.4 shows the state and local agencies involved in wastewater
regulation and the types of activities in which they are involved.
FEDERAL'
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (PL 92-500) and its amendments through the
Clean Water. Acts of 1977 (PL 95-217) and 1981 (PL 97-117) are the basis for pollution control
regulation in the nation. The goal of these acts is the restoration and/or maintenance of the
chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's water. The act established a national
policy of implementing areawide wastewater treatment and management programs to ensure
adequate control of sources of pollution. Under a provision of PL 92-500, grants are made
available to local governments to construct facilities to treat "point sources" of pollution,
including effluent from sewage treatment processes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
is responsible for implementing the act.
STATE
The Florida Department of Environmental. Protection (DEP) is the agency responsible for
ensuring that the State carries out the requirements of PL 92-500. In response to. PL 92-500,
DEP has adopted Chapters 17-3 and 17-6, FAC. These chapters regulate wastewater facilities
which treat flows exceeding 10,000 GPD.
Within e-Stat,The Florida Department of Health (DOH) regulates septic
system installations per Section 381.0065 Florida .Statutes (FS).. h4 eaeh eeunq—,theLhe DOH -
Indian River locally administers the septic systemprogram for Indian River County.has-anise
. These regulations for septic system. permitting are have
by in Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). While 64E-6 FAC does not set
the criteria for septic tissy tem effluent quality, it does require that .septic tanks §ystems . be
installed in such a manner. that, with reasonable maintenance, they will not create a health hazard
or endanger the safety of any domestic water supply.
In addition to regulating wastewater facilities, 64"Sections 381.0065(2)(a) and 381.00655 FS
also establishes criteria for mandatory connections to wastewater systemssetal}le-�a"
systefi�s. . Aeeefdifig to the,4 r-egulafien, land uses that are -�yithin 509 feet 6F a gfEwfty line er- 10
Pursuant to those sections, &ublic sanitary sewer is considered
available when gravity sewer lines or low-pressure lines are in a "right-of-way or easement
subdivision of more than 50 lots, when a public sewer line is accessible and within 1/4 mile of a
Community'Development Department Indian River County 25
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
proposed commercial subdivision of more than 5 lots, or when a public sewer line is accessible
and within %a mile of a proposed use in an. area zoned or used for an industrial manufacturing, or
equivalent use. When repairs or modifications are needed to a use in an area zoned or used for
industrial or manufacturing or its equivalent, that use must also connect to a wastewater system if
that use is within 500 feet of an establishment's or residences sewer stub -out.
LOCAL
In 1984, Indian River County adopted an ordinance that established the utility rate structure and
a mandatory hookup policy for both residential and non-residential development. County policy
generally states that any development located within 200 feet of a wastewater collection line
must connect. In addition to that ordinance, the Utilities Department also has developed and
adopted design standards and review procedures to ensure that all connections to the system are
compatible with the system's design.
TABLE 3.A.4 - REGULATION OF SEWAGE
Source: Indian River County Utilities Department
Community Development Department
Indian River County 26
Appendix A
Statutory
Agency
Authority
Scope
Activity "
DEP
Ch 403 FS
Responsible for all
Permits & inspection of
17-6 FAC
wastewater treatment plants,
wastewater plants over
and wastewater flows greater
10,000 GPD. -Regulates
than 10,000 GPD. Regulates
private package
private wastewater plants.
facilities.
DOH;
Ch 381 FS
Responsible for all onsite
Inspects, tes e�rmits,
County
64E-6 FAC
disposal systems less than
and enforces all septic
Health
10,000 GPD of domestic
systems less than 10,000
DepaAment
wastewater.
GPD. Responds to all
public complaints.
County Utili-
Local Ordinance
Responsible for review, -and
Inspects all work on
ties Dept.
Home Rule
construction, and connection
county public
to of -the public wastewater
wastewater system.
system. Regulates r ,.,ehiso
Regulates fianehise
net pen:nft paekage
plants under- 20,000
GPD P
Source: Indian River County Utilities Department
Community Development Department
Indian River County 26
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
ANALYSIS
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
The analysis of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element focuses on the three components of the sanitary
sewer system: collection, treatment, and disposal.
COLLECTION SYSTEM . . .
The principal components of the sanitary sewer collection system are pipes, manholes -and pump
stations. Because Indian River County has a relatively new sanitary sewer system, those pipes
and pump stations are generally in good condition. Overall, most of the major lines are in place
and sized to accommodate future growth.
The county's long range plan for growth and development is reflected in the Future Land Use
Element of the comprehensive plan. That element defines where the community will grow and
where growth will be limited. As indicated in the Future Land Use Element, the urban service
area is the area deemed appropriate for future urban type development. Accordingly, it is within
the urban service area that utility lines and other infrastructure components will be available.
Although regional sanitary sewer service . should generally be limited to lands within the urban
service area, there should be some exceptions. Historically, the county has allowed sites
contiguous to the urban service area boundary to connect to the regional sanitary sewer system,
and.that is appropriate.
There are also other types of development allowed outside the urban service area, where regional .
sanitary sewer service is appropriate and in some cases necessary. These include clustered
development in agricultural planned development projects, new town projects, traditional
neighborhood design projects, agricultural businesses, and agricultural industries. For these
uses, the county should allow connection to the regional sanitary sewer system or construction, of
a privately owned system, where connection to the public system is not feasible. In those cases
where a. privately owned system is. allowed, the county should require. that a franchise. be
obtained from the county and that any plants and collection systems be built to county standrds
and, where deemed appropriate by the county, be dedicated to the county without compensation.
The major collection system issues include service area, system evaluation and maintenance;
system expansion related to serving areas presently served by septic tank systems, and system
expansion to serve new development.
Service Area
a k w the sanitar-ysewer- areassefvi f +leo „ty m e City o f Vee Be eh have e i ee
+ F . z. e.++ evenis have o:+; ,+ow„inter-est in neensiderefien F +tee e&eas.
_____._e8r-Perated areas and the Tew-a of Indian River- Sher-es.seFved
Community Development Department Indian River County 27
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan, Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
Vero Beach serves those areas outside 'its corporate limits based on interlocal
agreements with the county and the Town of Indian River Shores. For the unincorporated
county, the , city. water. and waste water agreement expired in 2017 and is. currently .being_ re -
wastewater, and reuse expired and was renewed in 2012. That agreement is for an initial term of
15 years. Unless Indian River Shores provides notice 'of its desire to renegotiate or terminate four
years before the expiration of that 15 year period, the agreement will automatically renew for
another 15.; ems_While these,agreements e A in 2017,
the 2017 ..e....,.,:na fie ff a to
Currently, the ' Indian River County water and waste water service area is comprised of the
following:
• Majority of unincorporated Indian River County.
• City of Sebastian
• Town of Orchid
System Evaluation and Maintenance
The sanitary sewer collection system is evaluated with each application for new development,
and as each package treatment plant is decommissioned. That evaluation is done using a
computer modeling, program, known as the "WaterCad" model that evaluates several factors,
including pipe capacity, lift station capacity, horse power requirements for pumps, and hydraulic
pump pressure. In contrast, to the City of Vero Beach, which is largely built -out and has
provided utility service for many decades, sewer service is still relatively new to the rapidly
Community Development Department Indian River County 28
Appendix A
FIRM
Yoil
.PW
M
Currently, the ' Indian River County water and waste water service area is comprised of the
following:
• Majority of unincorporated Indian River County.
• City of Sebastian
• Town of Orchid
System Evaluation and Maintenance
The sanitary sewer collection system is evaluated with each application for new development,
and as each package treatment plant is decommissioned. That evaluation is done using a
computer modeling, program, known as the "WaterCad" model that evaluates several factors,
including pipe capacity, lift station capacity, horse power requirements for pumps, and hydraulic
pump pressure. In contrast, to the City of Vero Beach, which is largely built -out and has
provided utility service for many decades, sewer service is still relatively new to the rapidly
Community Development Department Indian River County 28
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
growing unincorporated county. Consequently, the county's collection system is constantly
evaluated.
Within the county's service area, the major collection system problem is low velocity in force
mains. In particular, the 24 inch, 20 inch, and 12 inch force mains in the US 1 corridor have low
velocities even at peak flows. The low velocity is caused by oversized lines and a lack of
wastewater generated. Where the velocity is less than 2 feet/second, solids will settle in
pipelines. Settled solids decrease hydraulic capacity.
Another problem occurs when a mass of accumulated solids become "unsettled" and reaches a
treatment plant in an unexpectedly large concentration. In the past, this situation has resulted in
sewage spills. While increased pipeline maintenance is necessary to prevent a reoccurrence of
such spills, the recent installation of numerous automatic air release valves has corrected the
problem by relieving gases that were preventing the normal flow of sewage through influent
pipes. In the future, the county's policy should be to continue to install automatic air release
valves in all new lines.
Service to New Development
Through the Utilities Department Wastewater Master Plan, the county has identified main lines
that must be installed along major corridors. Unlike other collection lines, "Master Plan" lines
usually do not connect directly to a wastewater generator. While master plan lines are paid for
by the Utilities Department with revenue from capacity charges and other sources, non -master
plan lines are paid from other sources.
Besides capital improvements programming and the assessment process, another way to expand
the collection system is through the platting and site plan approval requirements of new
development. For example, current comprehensive plan policies and land development
regulations mandate that each new subdivision within the Urban Service Area connect to the
centralized wastewater service system, if the proposed subdivision meets either of the following
criteria.
It is within one-quarter of a mile of existing wastewater lines; or
It contains 25 or more lots.
For non-residential projects, only those located more than 1/4 mile from the existing system and
generating less than 2000 gallons per day are not required to connect to the regional system.
Even non-residential projects meeting those requirements must connect if the system expands to
within'/4 mile of the project.
Those requirements need to be maintained to ensure that expansion of the regional sanitary sewer
system occurs and to ensure that the costs of that expansion are paid by the beneficiaries of the
Community Development Department Indian River County 29
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
expansion. Even when a development project does not meet the above "criteria, the project must
connect to the. regional sanitary sewer system if the project is deemed unacceptable for septic
tank system use due to increased health and groundwater contamination risks.
There are several reasons for requiring nearly all new development to connect to the regional
system. Those reasons are listed below.
• Regional systems are less likely to fail.
• Regional systems are better regulated and inspected.
• Regional systems provide a higher level of treatment. That higher level of treatment
allows the effluent to be reused, rather than injected into the ground where the effluent
increases the risk of groundwater contamination.
• Regional systems are economically more efficient to build and operate, but only if all
new development connects to the system.
Septic Tla�Systems
Between 4#9-5-2007 and 20016, 7,239 .1,217 new septics sy tems X
(average of 8121 per
year) were permitted. Additionally_ during that time period 5,919 septic systems were repaired
typically requiring a drainfield replacement. withia'the eeu
Generally, septic —systems are a potential source of groundwater and surface water
contamination, especially in areas where they, are densely concentrated,, aAd the water table is
high 'arid waterbody setbacks are less than 75 feet. According to thDOH-Indian River,
there have been are many cases of wells and surface waters
being contaminated from septic system
discharges. As indicated in Table 3.A.5, septic tars s_�effluent is of poor.quality by today's
wastewater treatment standards. Consequently, effluent discharges can cause , detrimental
in in nitrogen, chloride, sodium, other ions, total dissolved solids, and the microbiological
levels of the local groundwater.
Community Development Department
Indian River County 30.
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
TABLE 3.A.5 - TYPICAL CONCENTRATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER,
SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
PARAMETER
CONCENTRATION -'
SEPTIC TANK
WASTEWATER
HOUSEHOLD
EFFLUENT
TREATMENT PLANT
WASTEWATER(Max
Da
Biochemical Oxygen
430
150
20
Demand, 5 -day (BODS),
mg/1
Total Suspended Solids,
370
50
20
mg/1
Fecal Coliform (per
7.5 X105
5X105
200
100ml)
Total Nitrogen, mg/1
84
30
3812
Ammonia Nitrogen, mg/1
64
25
N/A
Total Phosphateorus,
61
12
61_5
mg/1
Source: Indian River County Wastewater Master Plan
Generally, the current system of septic tank --s sy tem maintenance is acceptable, particularly for
newer septic tanks meeting current regulations. For older septicmssystems, however, lack of
maintenance can be a problem, and there is no program requiring regular maintenance of these
septic-taRIEss sy tems. According to the Geunty Health DepaAfnefi DOH -Indian River, a required
septic tank maintenance program could reduce septic tank -s s� tem failures and associated adverse
impacts; however, such a program would be costly and difficult to implement. In the future, the
focus of the county and the DOH -Indian River should be on providing public education
programs on the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of septic tanks.
Several features inherent to the operation of septic tamsystems make them prone to
contaminating groundwater without any visual indication. For example, septic tanks -systems,
that are undersized or notpumped every 3-5 years can accumulate sludge
and scum, resulting in a poorer quality effluent. If -When high groundwater conditions (within -3
to ^ feet ef a, ..
.se'a � �'�^fi^^2 feet from the bottom of the drainfield) exist, additional fill is
needed. Once a septic taiik--system is installed and buried, these and other operating problems
cannot be recognized until the entire system fails and raw (untreated) sewage backs up into the
house plumbing or seeps above ground. Thus, a septic tank system that appears to be
functioning properly may, in reality, be providing very poor "treatment". This problem is more
likely to occur in areas of higher residential density where parcels are less than '/4 acre.-afid in
Community Development Department Indian River County 31
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Santa ry Sewer Sub -Element
areas with a high concentration of commercial/industrial use, .and areas .with. construction that
predates 1983:
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service, Soil
Survey most of Indian River County's soil has severe limitations for the use of septic lank
systems. Combined with the cEounty's high wet season water table, this.creates a high potential
for groundwater and. surface water contamination problems.
Since 1983, Fee �r������for new construction, the WX44BDOH- has requiresd that the
bottom of drainfields be at least 424 inches above the wet season water table-. To meet this.
requirement, ically slightly limited soil may be added to
the site creating a mound. Also, a X75 foot separation requirement must be met
between wells and/or waterbodies and septic tank -systems.
r,equifement must be When parcels platted or recorded after 1972 meet minimum lot size
requirements T T ideP he&egnd the above conditions, septic tans sy tem performance is
considered adequate for developments within the cEounty.
Another pr-ebler t -issue with septic systems is the possibility of w sere leaebate
effluent from a septic t-a�-s sv tem entering waterbodies in the cEounty..
This problem must be examined carefully, especially on the barrier island, in areas near the
Indian River Lagoon, in areas near the St. Sebastian River, and in areas adjacent to canals, lakes
or wetlands.
To summarize, the problems with septic tank -systems are listed below:
• Physical limitations existing in Indian River County
o A high water table of less than 10 inches as described in the USDA Soil Survey is found
in almost all areas of the county, especially .during `'i.e. .r -A -4-11s Of the wet season June
through October.
o Ninety-three percent of the county's soil has an .~deny.. . pedi6 h^" izen (a "est -r -i ive
layer- eften eewtpr-ised of sandy elay leam) and, therefore, is not suitable fer- septie tanks.
This pr-eblem ean be selved in areas with a low Fesidential density by, seme medigeatiei+
.is considered to have restrictive low permeable
soil strata not suitable for septic system installations:
Community Development Department
Indian River County 32
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
• Health and safety
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
o Poor quality of septic t -an —,s stem effluent compared to wastewater treatment plant
effluent.
o High--risl&7Potential fore€ groundwater contamination and spread of communicable
disease.
o Cost and insufficiency of monitoring process.
o Inappropriate septage disposal.
• Environmental Consideration
o Groundwater contamination.
o LeaeheAe to • *ee-p bed es-Materbody contamination.
For those reasons, there is a need to expand the regional wastewater treatment system to areas
where existing or future land uses, soil and groundwater conditions, proximity to surface water
bodies, and/or lot size make continued use of septic systems unacceptable due to increased health
and groundwater contamination risks.
With this h ..,:..a, The county should always -allow the voluntary expansion of the regional
sanitary sewer system to existing developments within the urban service area. Additionally, the
county must determine under what conditions to impose retrofitting on existing development
especially areas that impact the Indian River Lagoon and' areas significantly less than 1/a acre in
size. Some parcels recorded -anor platted prior to. 1972 are only 0.11 acres making it difficult to
repair septic systems to code. —As indicated in the finance section of this element, a major
portion of the cost of service expansion to existing subdivisions is funded through assessments.
In the past, some residents have objected to the costs of such assessments, often citing an
inability to pay.
than 1/2 aer-e m4y be se"ed �y se0fie tank systems without signifleahtly iner-easing health an
gfeundwater- eentaminafien risks. Therefore, expanding the system to inelude all e*isfing
Community Development Department Indian River County 33
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
instead, The county must establish criteria to differentiate between areas where retrofitting is
required_ and afeas where fetrefitting is allowed.—Because of the cost of retrofitting projects
within the urban service area is , the most appropriate criteria to use to identify
areas to retrofit are increased health risks and increased groundwater and/or surface water
contamination risks. When any of the following conditions exist and the DOH -Indian
River verifies that the health and groundwater contamination risks cannot be sufficiently reduced
by any means other than connecting to the regional system, retrofitting must occur.
Areas with small lot sizes less than '/4 acre especially those constructed prior to 1983.
Whefe units are not eennee4ed te a fegienal petable water- system, this r-efer-9 te lets of 17/Z
Residential subdivisions that meet those criteria are identified in Table 3.A.3.
Areas with intense land uses. Intense land uses means commercial,/_industrial or
equivalent uses or residential uses greater than 6 units/acre.
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas. This means areas within 500 feet of aquifer recharge
zones, as identified in the Aquifer Recharge Sub -Element of this plan; within 500 feet of
any public water supply well; within 500 feet of the Indian River Lagoon, the St.
Sebastian River, or any body of water that drains into them.
• As identified in the 2017 Septic to Sewer Study: Evaluation and Ranking by Utilities.
• Areas identified by the DOH -Indian River -as potential threats to public health-er
• New developments on oceanfront and riverfront lots
For planning purposes, a history of septic tank f-e-iluresystem repairs is defined as follows:
For subdivisions of 10 or fewer lots, this means 20% failures in five years. For subdivisions of
11 to 75 lots, this means 10% failures in eight -five years. For subdivisions of more than 75 lots,
this means 2% failures in ten -five years. Residential subdivisions that meet thew -iter^
entified in Table 3.A.-3-.
Methods that allow for a higher level of effluent treatment and reduction of contamination
include: linstallation of a "performance based system", providing a 24 inch separation between
the bottom of the drainfield and the wet season water table, and providing at least a 75 foot
setback between septic systems and wells and/or surface waterbodies. Generally, the most
effective and efficient way to correct the wastewater problem of those subdivisions is to connect
them to the regional system. Other eptiens eeeld involve adding fill an". r- pumping -the
wastewater te anether- septic tank. Although the easts and effeetiveness of these options vafy
Community Development Department Indian River County 34
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
TREATMENT
In addition to septic tank systems, public and private treatment plants provide wastewater
treatment within the county. In Indian River County, large regional public treatment plants now
predominate. Consequently, major treatment issues in the county relate primarily to ensuring
sufficient capacity (either on-site or off-site) to accommodate projected growth.
If wastewater demand were allowed to exceed the county's treatment capacity, untreated sewage
would have to be discharged. That would result in health hazards and environmental degradation
of surface water bodies. To prevent such an occurrence, the county must continue its policy of
approving new development only when sufficient capacity will be available. In this regard, the
county's computerized concurrency management system and its capital improvements plan
ensure that capacity will be available to serve new development concurrent with demand.
Public Treatment Plants
Besides producing high quality effluent, all public treatment plants currently have more than
enough capacity to accommodate existing demand. The following sections discuss the county's
future wastewater treatment needs and alternatives to meet those needs.
Projection of Future Demand
Assumptions
The comprehensive planning process is an opportunity for the county to complete an assessment
of its long range sanitary sewer needs. Such a needs assessment must consist of an analysis that
is more than a straight line linear projection. Future projections should utilize certain
assumptions based on past trends, present conditions, and future desires. The main assumptions
utilized in the sanitary sewer needs assessment are as follows:
• The county will be the primary provider of sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and
disposal;
The City of Vero Beach will continue to serve the City of Vero Beach, the Town of
Indian River Shores and a portion of the unincorporated county; and
Community Development Department
Indian River County 35
Appendix A
the neighbefheeds
where individuals benefiting ftem the eenneetion te the Kmitffy sewef system
TREATMENT
In addition to septic tank systems, public and private treatment plants provide wastewater
treatment within the county. In Indian River County, large regional public treatment plants now
predominate. Consequently, major treatment issues in the county relate primarily to ensuring
sufficient capacity (either on-site or off-site) to accommodate projected growth.
If wastewater demand were allowed to exceed the county's treatment capacity, untreated sewage
would have to be discharged. That would result in health hazards and environmental degradation
of surface water bodies. To prevent such an occurrence, the county must continue its policy of
approving new development only when sufficient capacity will be available. In this regard, the
county's computerized concurrency management system and its capital improvements plan
ensure that capacity will be available to serve new development concurrent with demand.
Public Treatment Plants
Besides producing high quality effluent, all public treatment plants currently have more than
enough capacity to accommodate existing demand. The following sections discuss the county's
future wastewater treatment needs and alternatives to meet those needs.
Projection of Future Demand
Assumptions
The comprehensive planning process is an opportunity for the county to complete an assessment
of its long range sanitary sewer needs. Such a needs assessment must consist of an analysis that
is more than a straight line linear projection. Future projections should utilize certain
assumptions based on past trends, present conditions, and future desires. The main assumptions
utilized in the sanitary sewer needs assessment are as follows:
• The county will be the primary provider of sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and
disposal;
The City of Vero Beach will continue to serve the City of Vero Beach, the Town of
Indian River Shores and a portion of the unincorporated county; and
Community Development Department
Indian River County 35
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
90% to 95% of future new development will connect to the regional sewer system.
The county will continue to maintain these policies and evaluate the feasibility of regional
system versus package treatment plants for the above referenced type of developments.
The existing conditions section of this sub -element provides a discussion of the existing capacity
of centralized wastewater treatment facilities, with an emphasis on the county system. That
discussion addresses the supply side of the wastewater treatment system. This section considers
the demand side.
The information for this section is based on the permanent and functional population projections
contained in the Introductory Element and on the projected land use patterns contained in the
Future Land Use Element. That information is also consistent with the county utilities master
plan. To develop these projections, the county used data such as historic growth, population
estimates, number and type of dwelling units, and developed commercial/industrial acreage.
As with other facility analyses, planning. for wastewater treatment facility expansion requires a
rational approach to projecting growth over a finite planning period. Past experience has shown
that using the historic growth of existing facilities in conjunction with population projections is
the most accurate method of projecting wastewater generation rates for future treatment facility
expansions.
Capital Improvements
According to the county sanitary sewer master plan, the total design capacity of the county
sanitary sewer system in 2030 is projected to be 19 million gallons per day (MGD), while total
demand is projected to be about 12.62 million gallons per day (MGD). Te get to ^ 19 gallon per -
day eapaeft3, either- the regienal plant and/er- the west regional ..last ill be
expanded in eaeh efthe fellewingyears: �2-010, 2015, and 2025. The ifier-eases will be! 2 ,ngd ;
. This information is shown in the graph below.
Because all of the plants in the county system are interconnected, there is flexibility as to which
plant or plants will be expanded to accommodate future demand.
Community Development Department Indian River County 36
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
Figure 3.A.2 WWTF Capacity vs. Demand
To ensure sufficient capacity through 2030, the county should take the following steps:
• Begin planning and preliminary design for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 5 years;
• Prepare plans and specifications for expansion when a plant's Average Daily Demand
is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 4 years;
• Submit a complete construction permit application to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 3 years; and
• Submit an application for an operation permit for the expanded facility to DEP when
a plant's Average Daily Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 6
months.
Taking these steps within the referenced timeframes will ensure that the county has sufficient
time to design, permit, and construct needed plant capacity. At the same time, these timeframes
decrease the chances that plants will have many years of unused capacity.
A list of sanitary sewer capital improvements is provided in the Capital Improvements Element
(CIE) of the county's comprehensive plan and provided in Appendix "^" of this
Since the county's CIE must be updated annually, projects completed will be dropped from the
list of capital improvements and new projects will be added as needed.
Community Development Department Indian River County 37
Appendix A
WWTF Capacity vs. Demand
20.00
19.00. 1 U.UU
18.00
16.00
16.00
14.00
14.00 14.00
12.85 12.85
12.00 12.6
11.60
—Overall WWfF Capacity
10.00
60
Demand with Conurency
ci
8.00
8.85
.87 —
—.— Demand W/O Concwency
R 8.00
U
6.00
5.72
.37
6.00
4.91 G� 0
4.00
3.89 .
2.00
0.00
2000
2005
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035
To ensure sufficient capacity through 2030, the county should take the following steps:
• Begin planning and preliminary design for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 5 years;
• Prepare plans and specifications for expansion when a plant's Average Daily Demand
is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 4 years;
• Submit a complete construction permit application to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 3 years; and
• Submit an application for an operation permit for the expanded facility to DEP when
a plant's Average Daily Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 6
months.
Taking these steps within the referenced timeframes will ensure that the county has sufficient
time to design, permit, and construct needed plant capacity. At the same time, these timeframes
decrease the chances that plants will have many years of unused capacity.
A list of sanitary sewer capital improvements is provided in the Capital Improvements Element
(CIE) of the county's comprehensive plan and provided in Appendix "^" of this
Since the county's CIE must be updated annually, projects completed will be dropped from the
list of capital improvements and new projects will be added as needed.
Community Development Department Indian River County 37
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
Within the county, a number of existing residential developments are not connected to the county
sanitary sewer system. If all unserved developments were connected to the regional sanitary
sewer system, there would be significant additional wastewater treatment demand. For a number
of reasons, however, most unserved developments will never connect to the regional system.
In many cases, septic systems are adequate to accommodate individual single family houses, and
there is no need to retrofit existing subdivisions with sanitary sewer lines. Where subdivisions
are served by a centralized potable water system, there are seldom problems caused by lots
having individual septic tans sy tems. Given the high cost of retrofitting existing subdivisions
with sanitary sewer lines and given the limited benefits of connecting, it is unlikely that many
existing subdivisions will be retrofitted with sewers in the future.
There are, however, some circumstances where connecting existing subdivisions to the sanitary
sewer system would be beneficial. Those circumstances mostly relate to a subdivision's
proximity to a waterbody. Because septic taff6j sy tems can leach pollutants and those pollutants
can impact the ocean, the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Sebastian River, or other surface water
bodies, the county has an interest in promoting the connection of waterfront subdivisions to the
sanitary sewer system.
In the future, the county should continue to offer its assessment program that provides sanitary
sewer to those neighborhoods where individuals benefiting from the connection to the sanitary
sewer system pay for the cost of service expansion.
Wastewater Needs and Land Use
With the 1990 adoption of the comprehensive plan, the county established its urban service area.
The intent of the comprehensive plan is to direct most growth into that area and to provide urban
type services to development in the urban service area.
Since adoption of the 1990 comprehensive plan, the regional wastewater collection system has
been extended to all commercial/industrial areas in the county, including the three I-95
commercial/industrial nodes. As a result of that expansion, the development potential of land
within the urban service area has greatly increased for both residential and commercial/industrial
projects.
Although the regional sanitary sewer system service area has been greatly expanded, there are
still several areas such as Oslo Park, Vero Lake Estates, Paradise Park and other areas which are
not yet served. In the future, the county should evaluate whether or not unserved areas should be
connected to the regional sanitary sewer system.
Community Development Department Indian River County 38
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan
Private Treatment Plants
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
As indicated in the background section of this Sub -Element, the reason that the cEounty started
direct provision of wastewater treatment services was due to problems at private package
treatment facilities.. In many cases, the problems with private plants were due to the operational
aspects. of the plant, rather than with the plant itself. Because of those problems and their
environmental impacts, the County Utilities Department has decommissioned all but four private
plants. Customers formerly served by private plants that have been decommissioned have been
connected to the county system.
To avoid a repeat of past problems, to ensure the financial viability of the regional system, and to
discourage urban sprawl, new package treatment plants are, generally prohibited within the urban
service area. Consistent with the provisions of the Future Land Use Element of this plan,
package treatment'plants or connection to the regional system may be allowed outside of the
urban service area to serve development projects that meet the following specific criteria:
• clustering of residential development within agricultural areas;
• clustering of residential development within privately owned upland conservation
areas;
• clustering development within mixed use districts; or
traditional neighborhood design communities.
• agricultural businesses and industries (including biofuel facilities)
In the future, the county will continue to maintain and enforce the above referenced policies.
EFFLUENT DISPOSAL
Another wastewater treatment issue concerns long range plans for effluent disposal. With
respect to effluent disposal, the county has several alternatives. Those alternatives include
requiring new commercial and/or residential development to use reuse water, retrofitting existing
development to use reuse water, or creating wetlands with reuse water.
While retrofitting existing development is, by a large margin, the most expensive of these
options; requiring that new development accommodate reuse water is somewhat less expensive.
In fact, new commercial areas are currently required to accommodate reuse lines. Even some
single-family and multiple -family residential developers, although not required to, have chosen
to incur the extra expense of building their projects to accommodate reuse water.
Currently, reuse through spray irrigation is the county's primary effluentdisposal method. This
method is consistent with the county's emphasis to conserve potable water. For that reason, the
eCounty uUtilities dDeparhnent is planning to modify the county's sanitary sewer system
Community Development Department Indian River County 39
Appendix A
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
connection regulations to require that all new subdivisions of 25 or more lots within one-quarter
of a mile of an existing re -use line connect to the re -use line for irrigation purposes.
Perhaps the most successful and efficient effluent reuse method currently used by the county is at
the West County Plant. At that site, a ±165 acre man-made wetland has been created and
maintained with effluent from the plant. Besides the creation of habitat for many species of
plants and animals, the benefits of that method of effluent disposal include greatly decreased
operating costs.
Although the wetland at the West County Plant is adjacent to the plant, such man-made wetlands
are not required to be located near a treatment plant. If not located near a plant, however, they
must be located near a reuse water transmission line.
Because the long term benefit of developing such wetlands may outweigh the initial land
acquisition and construction costs, the county should begin studying the feasibility of developing
additional wetlands.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS
Currently, the county's sanitary sewer system is meeting the needs of the community. There is,
however, a need to expand the regional wastewater treatment system. That expansion is needed
to meet the demand of projected population growth through 2030, and is currently planned to
occur with incremental plant expansions.
While the county's wastewater system works well, septic ssy tems are still an issue. In the
future, the county needs to ensure that even fewer new units use septic ssy tems, while also
connecting existing septic is sy tems users to the regional system where problems exist. To
address the thousands of existing septic tis sy tems, the county and Health Department need to
evaluate the feasibility of establishing a mandatory septic tis sy tem maintenance system.
Although the county has successfully extended sewer lines within the urban service area, the
county needs to continue to expand its collection system to serve the entire urban service area.
Along with that, the county needs to expand its reuse system.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 40
Comprehensive Plan Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
GOAL
Indian River County shall have an efficient system of sanitary sewer disposal that prevents
degradation of existing resources, promotes orderly growth and development, and meets existing
and projected demands.
OBJECTIVE 1 Service Concurrent with Development
Through the time horizon of the plan, there will be sufficient capacity in the regional sanitary
sewer system to accommodate all new development within the urban service area.
POLICY 1.1: New development within the unincorporated portion of Indian River
County shall be approved only when capacity is available, either on-site or off-site, to
provide needed sanitary sewer service.
POLICY 1.2: The eounty utilities depaftm DEP, on an annual basis, shall inspect all
private wastewater treatment plants in Indian River County.
POLICY 1.3: The county hereby adopts a sanitary sewer level of service standard of 250
gallons per day per equivalent residential unit with a peak monthly flow factor of 1.25.
That standard shall be utilized for determining the availability of facility capacity and the
demand generated by a development.
POLICY 1.4: Through its computerized permit tracking and its concurrency management
system, the county shall continue to implement procedures to update facility demand and
capacity information as development orders and permits are issued.
POLICY 1.5: The Planning Division, on an as needed basis, shall provide summary
reports containing capacity and demand information for each public wastewater treatment
plant within the county service area.
POLICY 1.6: Consistent with the county's water and wastewater connection matrix, the
county shall continue to allow the use of septic tank systems in rural areas for single-
family units and for domestic waste disposal by small retail establishments. The use of
septic systems must be approved by the Health Department and be consistent with
Rule 64E-6, FAC.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 41
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
OBJECTIVE 2 Regional System Expansion/Correction of Deficiencies
By 2025 241-3, at least 6038% of all existing residential�units in the county's service area will be
connected to the county's a -regional sanitary sewer system. This will be an increase from 52.7%
44% in 20172006.
POLICY 2.1: The county shall continue to offer the utility assessment program to areas
with septic serviee-systems within the County Utilities Department service area.
POLICY 2.2: The county shall continue to offer up to 10 year financing for all utility
assessments.
POLICY 2.3: The county shall given priority for the provision of public sanitary sewer
services to the subdivisions on the list of subdivisions as identified in Table 3.A.3
designated as requiring sanitary sewer service due to public health threats by DOH. .
POLICY 2.4: The county shall provide public sanitary sewer service to areas where the
lack of such service is determined to be a public health threat and shall initiate sewer
projects where feasible to serve subdivisions served by septic systems and identified in
Table 3.A.3.1 as posing a. disproportionately high potential negative impact on Indian
River Lagoon water quality. The county shall recover costs through those connecting to
the system and directly benefitting from the improvement.
POLICY 2.5: Consistent with its interlocal agreements with the City of Sebastian and the
Town of Orchid, the county shall provide sanitary sewer services to those municipalities.
POLICY 2.6: By 2018,.the count,, shall perform a financialanalysis for septic to sewer
conversion projects. Based on that analysis and available funding a specificlist of
subdivisions to be connected to public sanitary sewer system by certain dates will be
identified.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 42
—19 RM—
POLICY 2.6: By 2018,.the count,, shall perform a financialanalysis for septic to sewer
conversion projects. Based on that analysis and available funding a specificlist of
subdivisions to be connected to public sanitary sewer system by certain dates will be
identified.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 42
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
POLICY 2.7: By 2028, the coup . shall provide sanitary.sewer service .to at least five (5)
through those connecting to the system and directly benefitting from the improvement.
OBJECTIVE 3 Surface Water and Groundwater Quality
Through the time horizon of the plan, the county will have no instances of sanitary .sewer
facilities contaminating surface water or groundwater resources.
POLICY 3.1: The DOH -Indian. River shall conduct annual inspections of septic
tanks systems that are associated with heavy commercial, industrial, and manufacturing
or equivalent uses. The results of these inspections sha44--ma3Lbe used. to-p6er-itizein
conjunction with other items in prioritizing sanitary sewer service expansion.
POLICY 3.2: The county shall regularly monitor all centralized sanitary sewer facilities
to ensure that they do not contaminate surface water or groundwater resources.
POLICY 3.3: To ensure that hazardous waste is not discharged into ground or surface
water, the DOH -Indian. River shall ,reguireeenduet ran samplings of on-site
sewage systems for businesses which have been identified as hazardous waste generators
suspected of illegal discharges. Violators shall be prosecuted according to federal, state
and/or local regulations.
OBJECTIVE 4 Water Conservation
Through the time horizon of the plan, 100% of the wastewater effluent produced by the county
centralized sanitary sewer facilities will be reused.
POLICY 4.1: The county shall continue to reuse wastewater by spray irrigation, with
percolation ponds and wetlands as back-up.
POLICY 4.2: The county shall r-equir-eencouraae large volume irrigation users, such as
developments with golf courses, to use reuse water for spray irrigation.
POLICY 4..3: The county shall continue to enforce Land Development Regulations that
require developments that use treated wastewater for spray irrigation to construct and
dedicate to the county the effluent transmission lines needed to transport the effluent to
the development.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 43
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
POLICY 4.4: The county shall require all new subdivisions or residential projects of 25
or more lots/units within one-quarter of a mile of an existing re -use line to connect to the
re -use line when capacity, ems.
OBJECTIVE 5 Capital Improvements
By 204Q022, the county will have completed the sanitary sewer improvements listed in the
county's 5 year Capital Improvements Program in order to maximize the use of existing facilities
and discourage urban sprawl (current Five Year Capital Improvements Plan shown in Aflpendiii
Ais in the Capital Improvements Element of the comprehensive plan).
POLICY 5.1: In conformance with the review process for the Capital Improvements
Element , the county shall maintain a five-year schedule of capital
improvement needs for public facilities.
POLICY 5.2: Proposed capital improvement projects shall be evaluated and ranked
according to the following three priority level guidelines:
• Level One - whether the project is needed to protect, public health and safety, to
fulfill the county's legal commitment to provide facilities and services, or to preserve
or achieve full use of existing facilities.
Level Two - whether the project increases efficiency of use of existing facilities,
prevents or reduces future improvement costs, provides service to developed areas
lacking full service or promotes in -fill development.
Level Three - whether the project represents a logical extension of facilities and
services within the urban service area.
POLICY 5.3: In order to guarantee provision of more than the minimum level of service,
the county shall take the following steps:
• begin planning and preliminary design for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 5 years;
prepare plans and specifications for expansion when a plant's Average Daily
Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 4 years;
submit a complete construction permit application to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection for expansion when a plant's Average Daily Demand is
projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 3 years; and
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 44
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
• submit an application for an operation permit for the expanded facility to DEP when
a plant's Average Daily Demand is projected to equal or exceed its capacity within 6
months.
POLICY 5.4: The county shall treat sanitary sewer provision as an enterprise system
which is financially self-supporting.
POLICY 5.5: The County, Utilities Department shall fund sanitary sewer capital
improvements and expansions through user fees,rA feescapacity charges,
developer's agreements, assessments and other appropriate fees and funding mechanisms.
POLICY 5.6: The county shall identify and pursue opportunities for state and federal
—ees—ef funding for the improvement and expansion of utility services
including_ septic to sewer conversion projects and sewer connections.
POLICY 5.7: All improvements, replacement, expansion, or increase in capacity of
county facilities shall be consistent with adopted level of service standards for facilities.
POLICY 5.8: Consistent with the policies of the ,Future Land Use Element of this plan,
provision of centralized sanitary sewer service shall be limited to the following areas:
• Areas within the Urban Service Area;
• Areas where the county has legal commitments to provide facilities and services as
of the date of adoption of this plan;
• Areas outside of the Urban Service Area where at least a portion of the site is
contiguous to an Urban Service Area boundary as depicted on the Official Future
Land Use Map or where located no more than 500 feet from an existing sanitary
sewer line that is part of the county sanitary sewer system, or where an approved
place of worship or camp/retreat use existed on January 1, 2016 and is approved for
water and/or sewer service by Utility. Services in conjunction with a utility
construction/connection permit filed with Utility Services on or before June 30,
2016. These areas are subject to the following provisions:
o The maximum density of such land shall be as shown on the Future
Land Use Map, and the provision of centralized sanitary sewer service
shall not be justification for an increase in maximum density; and
o Any and all costs associated with connecting a property to the sanitary
sewer system, including costs associated with survey, design,
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 45
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
permitting, line extensions, construction, pumps and lift stations,
restoration, inspections, and certification, shall be borne by the owner
of the property..
• Development projects located outside of the Urban Service Area that meet the
criteria of the policies of the Future Land Use Element for:
o clustering of.residential development within agricultural;
o clustering of residential development within privately owned upland
conservation areas;
o clustered development within mixed use districts;
o traditional neighborhood design communities;
o public facilities such as public schools; and
o agricultural businesses and industries (including biofuel facilities)
• Areas where, consistent with Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element Policy 2.4, the lack of
centralized sanitary sewer service is determined to be a public health threat.
POLICY 5.9: The county shall install automatic air release valves in all new sewer lines.
OBJECTIVE 6 Package Treatment Plants
Through the time horizon of the plan, there shall be no instances of package treatment plant
failures, or illegal or unsafe package treatment plant discharges.
POLICY 6.1: The county shall limit the use of package wastewater treatment systems to
areas that meet the following criteria governing connection to the county sanitary sewer
system:
• Development served by existing package treatment plants may continue to treat their
sewage in that manner until centralized service becomes available. At that time, all
development within 1/4 mile of a county sewer line shall be connected to the county
system. Development whose sewage treatment systems causes a public health
problem must connect to the regional system regardless of the distance to sewer
lines.
• Package treatment plants shall be allowed in areas of development outside of the
Urban Service Area when such development meets the criteria of policies of the
Future Land Use Element for:
o clustering of residential development within agricultural areas;
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 46
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
o clustering. of residential development within privately owned upland conservation
areas;
o clustering development within mixed use districts;
o tradition neighborhood design communities; or
o agricultural businesses and industries (including biofuel facilities)
POLICY 6.2: The county shall ensure that, prior to the issuance of development orders
or. permits, the applicant has demonstrated that the project complies with applicable
federal, state, and local permit requirements for package treatment plants.
POLICY 6.3: The county shall require that issuance of permits for replacement or
expansion of existing package treatment plants be conditioned upon compliance with the
most updated version of DEP regulatory requirements and Federal and State water quality
standards as identified in the "Regulatory Framework" section of the sub -element.
POLICY 6.4: To ensure proper maintenance and operation, the UtilitiesDe.
sha4 DEP. shall inspect all package treatment plants on an annual basis.
POLICY 6.5: The county shall require all new package wastewater treatment plants to be,
built according to current federal, state, and county requirements. In addition to
obtaining a county permit demonstrating compliance with county regulations, any
developer building and operating a package wastewater treatment plant must . obtain a
state permit demonstrating compliance with state and federal regulations. . Those
regulations include but are not limited to the Federal Water Pollution. Control Act of 1972
(PL 92-500) and its amendments through the Clean Water Acts of 1977 (PL 95-217) and
1981 (PL 97-117), Chapters 381 and 403 of the Florida Statutes, and Rules 17-3 and 17-6
of the Florida Administrative Code. Both state and county permits are required for the
construction of a plant, and for any future expansion or modification of a plant.
POLICY 6.6: At the time the county approves any new package treatment plants, the
county will . require, that at the time deemed appropriate by the county, the package
treatment plant and associated sewer collection system shall be dedicated to the county
for operation and maintenance without compensation.
POLICY 6.7: The county shall continue to enforce ordinances requiring pre-treatment of
commercial and industrial waste before discharge into the county system.
POLICY 6.8: The county shall require all future connections to the regional sanitary
sewer system to be consistent with the attached water and wastewater connection matrix.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 47
Comprehensive Plan Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
OBJECTIVE 7 Septic Ta k -Systems
By 2020, the number of new septic tank -systems permitted annually will not exceed -450200.
POLICY 7.1: The county shall limit the use of septic tank -systems to areas that meet the
following criteria governing connection to the county sanitary sewer system:
�With the exeeptien-ethese -identified irrzmale 3.A.3, r•avrtialr3cvdiyisions
sefved by exisfing septie tank systems may eenfiAue te tFeat their- sewage in theA
mannefr
Commercial/industrial uses and residential subdivisions identified in Table 3.A.3
may continue to treat their sewage with existing septic tank systems until
centralized sewer service lines are extended to within I/4 mile of the site. At that
time, all residential units in those subdivisions and all commercial/industrial uses
shall be connected to the county system. Developments whose sewage treatment
systems cause a public health problem must connect to the regional system
regardless of the distance to sewer lines.
Use of septic tanlc-systems for new development shall be prohibited unless:
o such development meets the criteria set on the water and wastewater
connection matrix; or
o such development consists of clustered residential development within
privately owned upland conservation (C-3) areas. Even under those
circumstances, no individual septic tank systems may be associated
with individual residential units. If located outside of any
conservation designated areas or areas that are environmentally
sensitive or significant, however, centralized community septic tank
systems may be provided to each pod of clustered residential
development.
o Septic tank -systems shall be allowed in areas of development outside
of the Urban Service Area when such development meets the criteria
of policies of the Future Land Use Element for:
- clustered residential development within agricultural
planned development projects;
- clustered development within new town projects;
- traditional neighborhood design communities; and
- agricultural businesses and industries (including biofuel
facilities)
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 48
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
POLICY 7.2: The county shall ensure that, prior to the issuance of development orders
or permits for projects to be served by septic tanksystems, the applicant has
demonstrated that the project complies with Florida Department of Health (DOH)
regulations Section 381.0065 FS -and R*le-Chapter 64E-6, FAC, permit requirements for
septic tank -systems.
POLICY 7.3: The county in coordination with and through the DOH -Indian River, shall
require that issuance of permits for repair or replacement of existing septic tank -systems
be conditioned upon compliance
r-equkements and Feder -a! and State watef: quality standaMs as identified in
"Regulatory Framework" seetion eche-Sub-element—with DOH regulations Section
381.0065 FS and Chapter 6413-6, FAC, permit requirements for septic systems.
POLICY 7.4: The county, in coordination with and through the DOH -Indian
River, shall establish public education programs on the proper use, inspection
requirements, maintenance, and abandonment of septic tanks sy tems. The tank eptic
s sy tem abandonment process shall be based on current state and local regulations.
POLICY 7.5: Consistent with Section 381.00651 FS and in coordination with and
through the DOH -Indian River, the County shall encourage a voluntary opt—in provision
for septic system maintenance and encourage contractors that. provide septic maintenance
to document information.
POLICY 7.6: The.CouM, in coordination with and through the DOH -Indian River, shall
encourage all septic systems including repairs and modifications to meet a 24 inch
separation between the bottom of the drainfield and the wet season water table and meet
75 foot setbacks from surface waterbodies and wells.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 49
Comprehensive Plan Sanitary Sewer. Sub -Element
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
An important part of any plan is its implementation. Implementation involves execution of the
plan's policies. It involves taking actions and achieving results.
For the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element, implementation involves various activities. While some of
these actions will be ongoing, others are activities that will be taken by certain points in time..
For each policy in this element, Table 3.A.6 identifies the type of action required, the responsible
entity for taking the action, the timing, and whether or not the policy .necessitates a capital
expenditure.
To implement the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element, several different types of actions must be taken.
These include: expansion of plant capacity, extension of the collection network, enforcement of
land development regulations and ordinances, execution of interlocal agreements, coordination,
and preparation of studies and evaluation and monitoring reports.
Overall plan implementation responsibility will rest with the planning department. Besides its
responsibilities as identified in Table 3.A.6, the planning department has the additional
responsibility of ensuring that other entities discharge their responsibilities. This will entail
notifying other applicable departments of capital expenditures to be included in their budgets,
notifying other departments and groups of actions that must be taken, and assisting other
departments and agencies in their plan implementation responsibilities.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 50
Comprehensive Plan
Sanity ry Sewer Sub -Element
TABLE 3.A.6 - SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX
POLICY#
"TYPE OF ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMING',..
CAPITAL EXPEND:
1.1
Land Development
Regulations
Planning
Ongoing
NO
1.2
Monitoring Procedures
UtilitiesDEP
Ongoing
NO
1.3
Land Development
Regulations
Planning
Ongoing
NO
1.4
Monitoring Procedures
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
1.5
Summary Reports
Planning
As Needed
NO
1.6
Land Development
Regulations
Utilities/ff��DOH - INDIAN
RIVER
Ongoing
NO
2.1
Service Provision
Utilities
Ongoing
YES
2.2
Service Provision
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
2.3
Evaluation Process/
Service Provision
Utilities/IRC44I3DOH - INDIAN
RIVER
Ongoing
YES
2.4
Evaluation Process/
Service Provision
Utilities DOH - INDIAN
RIVER
Ongoing
YES
2.5
Coordination
Utilities/BCC
Ongoing
NO
2.6
Feasibility StudySeptic
to Sewer Study
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
2.7
New Service to Existing
Utilities
Ongoing
YES
Subdivisions on Septic.
Systems
3.1
Annual Inspections
lDOH - INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
3.2
Monitoring Procedures
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
3.3
Monitoring Procedures
HZQ>$DOH - INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
4.1
Reuse Water by Spray
Irrigation
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
4.2
Land Development
Regulations
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
4.3
Land Development
Regulations
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
4.4
Land Development
Regulations
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 51
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
POLICY#
TYPE OF ACTION
RESPONSIBILITY' •
TIMING
CAPITAL EXPEND.
5.1
CIP Maintenance
Finance/Utilities
Ongoing
NO
5.2
CIP Evaluation &
Finance/Utilities
Ongoing
NO
Prioritization
5.3
Capacity Monitoring &
Utilities
Ongoing
YES
Plant Expansion
5.4
Land Development
Finance[Utilities
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
5.5
Land Development
Utilities
Ongoing
YES
Regulations
5.6
Funding Mechanism
Utilities/Finance
Ongoing
NO
5.7
Improvement/
Utilities
Ongoing
YES
Rep lacement/Expansion
5.8
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
5.9
Installation of Air
Utilities
Ongoing
Yes
Release Valves
6.1
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
6.2
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
6.3
Land Development
Utilities/Planning/ IRC4=]$DOH
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
- INDIAN RIVER
6.4
Plant Inspections
UtllitiesDEP
Ongoing
NO
6.5
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
6.6
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
6.7
Land Development
Utilities
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
6.8
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
7.1
Land Development
Utilities/Planning
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
7.2
Land Development
Utilities/Planning/ DOH
Ongoing
NO
Regulations
- INDIAN RIVER
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 52
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
POLICYk
TYPE OFACTION
RESPONSIBILITY
'TIMING
CAPITAL EXPEND.
7.3
Land Development
Regulations
Utilities/Planning/ lDOH
- INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
7.4
Public Education
Program
Utilities/IMDOH -
INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
7.5
Septic Maintenance and
DOH - INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
Reporting
7.6
Septic System
Improvements
DOH - INDIAN RIVER
Ongoing
NO
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 53
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
EVALUATION AND MONITORING PROCEDURES
To be effective, a plan must not only provide a means for implementation; it must also provide a
mechanism for assessing the plan's effectiveness. Generally a plan's effectiveness can be judged
by the degree to which the plan's objectives have been met. Since objectives are measurable and
have specific timeframes, the plan's objectives are the benchmarks used as a basis to evaluate the
plan.
Table 3.A.7 identifies each of the objectives of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element. It also
identifies the measures to be used to evaluate progress in achieving these objectives. Most of
these measures are quantitative. Besides the measures, Table 3.A.7 also identifies timeframes
associated with meeting the objectives.
The utilities department staff will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Sanitary
Sewer Sub -Element. This will involve collection of data and compilation of information
regarding facility capacity, expansion, and new development permitted. This will be done on a
regular. basis. As part of the county's concurrency management system, the county will
continually monitor facility capacity to ensure, that wastewater level -of -service standards will be
maintained.
While monitoring will occur on a continual basis, formal evaluation of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -
Element will occur every five years in conjunction with the formal evaluation and appraisal of
the entire comprehensive plan. Besides assessing progress, the evaluation and appraisal process
will also be used to determine whether the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element objectives should be
modified or expanded. In this way the monitoring and evaluation of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -
Element will not only provide a means of determining the degree of success of the plan's
implementation; it will also provide a mechanism for evaluating needed changes to the plan
element.
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 54
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
TABLE 3.A.7 - SANITARY SEWER SUB -ELEMENT EVALUATION MATRIX
OBJECTIVE #,
MEASURE
TIMEFRAME
1
Availability of Sufficient Capacity
Through the time
horizon of the plan
2
% connected to regional system
By 2Q4-52020
3
# of instances of sanitary sewer facilities contaminating
surface water or groundwater resources
Through the time
horizon of the plan
4
% of wastewater effluent reused
Through the time
horizon of the plan
5
Completed improvements
Through the time
horizon of the plan
6
# of package treatment plant failures and # of illegal or
unsafe package treatment plant discharges
Through the time
horizon of the plan
7
# of new septic t -systems permitted annually
By 2020
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 55
Comprehensive Plan
Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element
TABLE 3.A.8 WATER & WASTEWATER CONNECTION MATRIX FOR NEW
DEVELOPMENT
* Daily flow refers to water consumption or sewer generation.
**The applicant for any development project, where such project will not connect to a
centralized system, must sign a developer's agreement with the Indian River County Utilities
Department to operate on a private system with a commitment to connect to the regional system
when service is available. These agreements shall be conditioned upon demonstration of
compliance with applicable federal, state, and local permit requirements. When using a private
system or on-site facilities, the developer must construct a dry line or wet line at the time of
construction, if required by the Utilities Department. The final determination for the type of
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 56
Ins de. oftfie.Urba' Sery ce Area
C-
Not Coni eCt
KOY1ned
Single Family:
Within 200' of system
X
Outside of 200' of system
X**
Residential Projects:
Subdivision, multi -family, site plan, PD, DRI,
Within'/4 mile of the system
25 units or more
X
Less than 25 units
X
Outside of %4 mile of system
25 units or more
X
Less than 25 units
X**
Non -Residential Projects:
Subdivision, site plan, PD, DRI
Within'/4 mile of system
2,000 gallons daily flow or more*
X
Less than 2,000 gallons daily flow*
X
Outside of/4 mile of system
2,000 gallons daily flow or more*
X
Less than 2,000 gallons daily flow*
X**
* Daily flow refers to water consumption or sewer generation.
**The applicant for any development project, where such project will not connect to a
centralized system, must sign a developer's agreement with the Indian River County Utilities
Department to operate on a private system with a commitment to connect to the regional system
when service is available. These agreements shall be conditioned upon demonstration of
compliance with applicable federal, state, and local permit requirements. When using a private
system or on-site facilities, the developer must construct a dry line or wet line at the time of
construction, if required by the Utilities Department. The final determination for the type of
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 56
Comprehensive Plan
Sanita ry Sewer Sub -Element
non-residential establishment which can utilize a private system shall be made by the Utilities
Department, Community Development Department, and Health Depa#i:ftefit.
DOH — Indian River.
System Availability: A system is considered available when a collection or distribution line
exists in a public easement or right-of-way.
Distance Determination: Distance determinations are made from the nearest point of the project
(area of development) to the public facility directly through public easements or public rights-of-
way.
FACommunity Development\Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments\2017 Sewer Policy Update\Agenda Items\PH #2 - BCC Transmittal
Review\Appendix A\9 Chapter 3A Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element Working Copy - BCC Transmittal Hearing.doc
Appendix A
Community Development Department Indian River County 57
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO
FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT
terrace extends into and beyond the northwest corner of the county and reaches elevations of
approximately 40 feet above sea level.
The topography of the county is depicted in Figure 2.17. Overall, the relatively flat terrain of the
county poses few constraints to development as compared to a rough or rugged terrain. The
topography is also a key feature in the natural drainage system and must be examined along with
other natural features to identify development opportunities and constraints. These potential
opportunities and constraints are addressed in the analysis section of this element and examined
in the Conservation, Coastal Management, and Infrastructure Elements.
Soils
Soils can greatly influence the value or development potential of land. On farmland, those soils
which are rich in nutrients provide the potential for high crop yields, while other soils require
extensive fertilization and treatment. Generally, structures cannot be built on soils with poor load
bearing capacity unless costly methods are employed to overcome the problem. Soils can also
severely limit the use of sanitary facilities such as septic tanlEseptic sstems and landfills. While
wet soils often cannot accommodate septic flank c s,, sus, ground water can be polluted in
highly permeable soils. Those soils with high water tables may also indicate the existence of a
wetland vegetative community.
In Indian River County, the United States Soil Conservation Service has identified 58 different
soil types. These soils are further classified into thirteen generalized soil types and distributed
among five physiographic areas of the county as follows: sand ridges; coastal islands and tidal
marshes; flatwoods, low knolls and ridges; sloughs, poorly defined drainage ways and
hammocks; and freshwater swamps and marshes. The generalized soil types are depicted in
Figure 2.18.
The suitability of soils for development is discussed in the analysis section of this element and in
greater detail in the Conservation and Coastal Management Elements.
Future Land Use Element 46
Appendix A
Water transportation is provided on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Indian River Lagoon. This
federally maintained water route traverses the length of the county. The nearest deepwater ports
are located at Ft. Pierce to the south and Port Canaveral to the north.
In Indian River County, rail service is provided by the Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC). The
FEC maintains single and double tracks just west of and parallel to US 1. The nearest FEC
freight yard is in Ft. Pierce.
Aviation, Ports, and Rail issues are also discussed in the Transportation Element.
Sanitary Sewer
Generally, wastewater is a service that has traditionally been supplied by local government. In
addition to the more technologically sophisticated and efficient central systems, traditional
methods of wastewater treatment, including septie--tankseptic systems, are still employed in
Indian River County.
The primary purpose of wastewater treatment is to remove solids and toxic chemicals from
wastewater and render organic wastes inert. After treatment, the resulting water product is then
reintroduced into the natural water cycle.
Presently, there are five publicly operated regional wastewater treatment plants operating in the
county. Four of those plants are operated by the Indian River County Utilities Department, while
the other plant is operated by the City of Vero Beach. There are also three privately -operated
package treatment plants in the county.
While the county operated plants provide a level of service of 250 gallons/residential unit/day,
the city operated plant provides a level of service of 197 gallons/residential unit/day. The
combined design capacity of the regional plants is 13;370,000 17,350,000 gallons/day, an,
amount sufficient to accommodate their combined average daily demand of-8� ,; 8,780,000
gallons/day.
Currently, the service area of the regional system includes substantial portions of the urban area
of the county. As such, wastewater lines extend to much of the county's urban area, including
portions of all three of the commercial/industrial nodes along I-95. In 2006, the county utilities
department had -24-,2-50 28,167 sanitary sewer customers.
With respect to sept-ie4ankseptic systems, the Department of Health in Indian River County
(DOH -Indian Rlver)Publi , u,.akh Unit, Division. Health currently estimates
that there are apprud atel5more than 36,039 septseptic s,, stems in, use in Indian River
County. While approximately -1,,"72-L21 new aseptic systems were installed in 20916
in the county, that number has decreased significantly. in more recent years as the level of
residential construction has declined.
Future Land Use Element 63
Appendix A
Within the county, many of the older residential areas were developed with well and septic tanlE
systems on lots which, by today's standards, are small in size. The small lot size in those areas
often results in inadequate separation distances between wells and sept septic systems. For
that reason, some of those areas have experienced contamination of wells.
To address that health problem, county policy has been to connect those areas to the regional
potable water system. Because connection to the regional potable water system is usually
sufficient to eliminate health risks, connection of those areas to the regional sanitary sewer
system has been on a much more limited basis.
Wastewater and sanitary sewer systems are addressed more fully in the Sanitary Sewer Sub -
Element of the Infrastructure Element and in the Capital Improvements Element. The impact of
those systems is also addressed in the Conservation Element.
Potable Water
Water is essential to human life and is a key ingredient in agriculture, commerce and industry.
Traditionally, water in urban areas has been provided by local governments, while in rural areas
individual wells or water systems have sufficed. This pattern is also present in Indian River
County; however, it is not uniform in all areas of the county.
In Indian River County, the water delivery system is composed of private wells and public water
systems. The potable water system is discussed in greater detail in the Potable Water Sub -
Element and the Capital Improvements Element. Groundwater sources are discussed in the
Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Sub -Element and the Conservation Element.
As with the county's population distribution, water systems other than private wells are primarily
limited to the developed eastern third of the county land area. Currently, there are four publicly
owned regional water treatment plants operating in the county. Two of those plants are operated
by the Indian River County Utilities Department, while the other plants are operated by the City
of Vero Beach and the City of Fellsmere. While the county -operated plants provide a level of
service of 250 gallons/residential unit/day, the Vero Beach and Fellsmere plants provide a level
of service of 351 and 200 gallons/residential unit/day, respectively. The combined design
capacity of those plants is 24,720,000 gallons/day, an amount sufficient to accommodate their
combined average daily demand of 15,990,000 gallons/day.
The plants operated by the county Utilities Department use the Floridan Aquifer as their primary
water source. While the City of Vero Beach uses both the Surficial and Floridan Aquifers, the
City of Fellsmere uses only the Surficial Aquifer. Because water drawn from the Floridan
Aquifer contains impurities, that water must be treated to become potable. For water drawn from
the Floridan Aquifer, the type of treatment used by both the city and county plants is reverse
osmosis. For water drawn from the Surficial Aquifer, a lime softening treatment process is used.
A by-product of the reverse osmosis process is brine; brine is water with a high concentration of
impurities. That brine is then treated prior to being discharged.
Future Land Use Element 64
Appendix A
Future Land Use Map, the 106,661 units projected at build -out. represent fewer units than the
maximum allowed by the Future Land Use Map. If single-family development continues to occur
at densities substantially less than the maximum allowed by the by Future Land Use Map, then it
can be expected that the unincorporated county's build -out potential will be reduced in the
future.
Currently, comprehensive plan policies direct the vast majority of residential development to
land inside the urban service area. Of the projected 106,661 residential units at build -out, 96,029
units (or 90%) will be located inside the urban service area. The remaining 10,632 units will be
located outside of the urban service area.
Because of the recent municipal annexations and the future land use plan densities expected to be
assigned to those annexed areas, the build -out potential for the total county has increased
significantly. Upon build -out, it is projected that the unincorporated county and the county's
municipalities will contain 188,848 residential .units. At that time, the county's five
municipalities will contain 82,1, 87 residential units. Of these residential units, 49,474 residential
units will be in the City of Fellsmere, while the remaining 32,713 residential units will be located
in the county's other municipalities.
Use Suitabilitv of Soil
Within the.county, soils can limit development activity in two major ways: load bearing capacity
and suitability for sanitary facilities. Those characteristics are addressed in the United States
Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service's soil survey for Indian River County. In
addition to mapping the different soils, the survey also provides an analysis of the soils. The
analysis, which includes the physical, chemical, and hydric composition of each soil type,
provides a basis to evaluate the soil potential for different uses. Table 2.12 is a summary of soil
ratings and limitations from the Soil Survey. (Soils are also discussed in the Conservation
Element). That table indicates that most soils in the county present severe limitations for site
development and sanitary facilities.
Usually, building limitations are due to the wetness of the soil. The wetness of the soil can result
in the ponding of water, flooding and caving of excavation. The wetness also presents severe
limitations to sanitary facilities and, in particular, to septic tankseptic systems. Since wetness and
ponding lead to poor filtering and slow percolation, wet soils are unable to adequately drain.
Within .the county, those limitations, can be reduced through the use of certain building
techniques and standards. Those techniques and standards include raising the elevations of sites
through the use of fill dirt and enhancing the natural drainage area of development projects.
Throughout the county, septje flank is s sy terns are permitted by the
DepartmertDOH-Indian River. To ensure that adequate sanitary facilities are provided for sites
not connected to, the county's centralized sanitary sewer system, county building regulations
require the issuance of a septic permit prior to issuance of a building permit. Several standards
Future Land Use Element 78
Appendix A
used by the DOH=Indian River to guarantee the viability of
septic systems include: a minimum septiE septicssem elevation requirement of 48" above
the wet season water table; a minimum separation distance requirement between septie
tamseptic systems and potable water wells of 75 feet; and a limitation on total building square
footage based on lot size and drainfield requirements.
Because. of the limitations associated with on-site septic systems, the county's policy should be
to expand the public sanitary system throughout the urban service area. The Sanitary Sewer Sub -
Element provides additional analysis of septic tank c system suitability in the county and the
regulatory framework under which septie tftnkseptic systems are permitted.
Table 2.129 Soil Characteristics and Suitability
°SoilDrainage
Corrosivity
Irrigation
Septic Fields
Dwellings
Pond
Steel ... ,.
Concrete
Poorly
Moderate
Low to
Wetness,
Severe limitations —
Severe limitations -
Severe
Drained
to High
High
Droughty,
Wetness, Percolates
Wetness
Limitations —
Fast intake
slowly
Seepage
Moderately
Low to
Low to
Wetness,
Severe Limitations
Slight to Severe
Severe
Drained
Moderate
Moderate
Droughty,
— Percolates slowly,
Limitations —
Limitations —
Fast intake
Poor filtering
Wetness
Seepage
Excessively
Low
Moderate
Droughty,
Slight — Very poor
Slight
Severe
Drained
to High
Fast intake,
filtration. Potential
Limitations —
Soil blowing
for groundwater
Seepage
contamination
Data Source: U.S.D.A. - Soil Conservation Service
Figure 2.26 shows soil characteristics which present severe limitations to development.
Use Suitability of Tonomphy
The topography of Indian River County is generally flat with the exception of several ridges.
Due to the lack of rough or rugged terrain, topography does not present any major limitations to
development. Only a few areas along the coastal ridge have slopes steep enough to constrain
development.
Overall, topography is one of the principal influences on the drainage system. Because much of
the county consists of relatively low flatlands, many of those areas, including the highly
developed eastern mainland, would be underwater for portions of the year without man-made
drainage ditches and canals. There are, however, certain county areas, such as the barrier island,
the sand ridges, the. St. Sebastian River area, and the higher elevations in the western county,
which have a topography that results in the natural runoff of stormwater.
Going forward, the county's policy should be to require .that stormwater runoff from new
development does not negatively impact adjacent properties or receiving water bodies. Because
of the county's flat terrain, stormwater management systems are necessary to direct and retain
Future Land Use Element 79
Appendix A
➢ Groundwater Recharge Areas
Underlying Indian River County are two aquifers that provide county residents with all water for
domestic consumption. Those aquifers are recharged or filled by the percolation of rain and
surface water through soil layers into the underground reservoirs. Those areas which provide the
greatest potential for recharge are classified as "Prime Recharge Areas" and are shown on Figure
2.29. While excessive development of those areas can result in changes to natural drainage
patterns and reduce recharge potential, excessive use of septie 'aAkseptic systems and hazardous
materials in those areas can increase the possibility of contamination of the aquifer.
For the county public water system, the public water supply source is the deep aquifer which,
because of its depth, is less likely to be subject to contamination from ground sources. Recharge
areas for that aquifer are located northwest of the county.
Within the county, those areas which contain community wells that draw large quantities of
water are especially subject to contamination or pollution. Generally, groundwater contamination
can result from excessive or improper use of septic systems and other wastewater treatment
facilities, the leakage of chemicals and fuels stored underground, seepage from landfills and
other waste storage areas, or surface spills of hazardous materials. For each of the community
wells or wellfields in the county, zones of influence have been calculated. Those zones vary in
size due to the amount or volume of flow, depth of the well and the porosity of the aquifer.
Within those zones, the county's policy should restrict uses that could contaminate community
wells.
Future Land Use Element 85
Appendix A
➢ Summary of Use Suitability of Natural Resources
Overall, the natural features of the county :provide various constraints to development; many of
which can be overcome through modern building and engineering techniques. In fact, one natural
resource constraint that has been mitigated through engineering is drainage. With respect to
drainage, large areas of the county would be underwater, if it were not for the county's extensive
system of drainage canals and ditches.
In some cases, modifications are relatively simple and provide minimal adverse impacts to the
environment. Where only slight modification is required, areas are generally suited for most
types of development. Other areas require extensive man made improvements to achieve even
the lowest intensity of development. Often those improvements include the wholesale destruction
of important and sensitive habitats. In those areas, development should be kept to a minimum
and highly regulated to ensure the protection of natural features and resources.
Figure 2.30 is a composite of the natural constraints in the county. In those areas which contain
severe constraints, the county's policy should be to restrict development.
A review of existing development and natural land uses reveals the following important facts:
• destruction of natural areas is most evident in the eastern portion of the county, especially
waterfront areas along the Indian River and on the barrier island;
• continued reliance on septic 4affkses�tie systems increases the potential for pollution of the
shallow aquifer;
• the use of seg ie lfseptic systems in soils which. are not suited for septi£ tanks
and development in areas with low elevations require large amounts of fill dirt obtained by
mining;
• the large amounts of runoff that result from development can lead to the need for expensive
drainage improvements, pollution of natural water bodies, and localized flooding; and
• development of wetlands, woodlands and other natural areas results in the destruction of
natural habitat, upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Wherever development occurs, the natural state of the land is altered, most of it without serious
consequences. Certain areas, however, are of such a sensitive nature that their alteration can lead
to serious problems for nature and humans alike. In the past, much of the land area of the county
was drained and cleared for agriculture. While it is impossible to preserve all natural areas,
development policies and land use regulations can and should protect sensitive areas and limit
the destruction of the environment.
Future Land Use Element 87
Appendix A
permit the transfer of development rights, and promote the use of conservation easements,
dedications; and public acquisition. .
Policy 7.4: Any, development activity in areas designated as environmentally sensitive or
important, as defined in policies 5.4 and 6.11 of the Conservation Element, shall require an
.environmental survey.as part of the approval of a development order. Based upon the results of
the environmental survey; development projects shall be required to provide a site design which
minimizes impacts upon endangered and threatened plants and animals.
Policy 7.5: The county shall review and evaluate proposed development projects to ensure that.
stormwater runoff from the new development will not negatively impact adjacent properties or
receiving surface waterbody quality.
Policy 7.6: Indian River County shall maintain and enforce regulations to protect wetlands from
the negative impacts of development. These regulations address building setbacks, protection.
from solid and liquid wastes including pesticides and herbicides, dredging or filling of wetlands,
incorporation of wetlands into a site's development scheme, and mitigation of lost or destroyed
wetlands.
Policy 7.7: Indian River County acknowledges the environmental importance of the prime
aquifer recharge areas shown on Figure 2.29. The county shall regulate the development of these.
areas. Regulations include an overlay district which restricts land uses, implements special siting
requirements for septie .ta*septic s;; sus to mitigate soil drainage characteristics, and regulates
other factors which impact the recharge capability of the land.
Policy 7.8: The county shall protect public water supply wells by prohibiting the placement of
septic systems; stormwater retention/detention areas; wastewater treatment plant effluent
discharges; including but not limited to percolation ponds, surface water discharge, spray
irrigation, and drainfields;, sanitary landfills, feed lots and other concentrated animal facilities;
mining and excavation activities; and the handling, production, and storage of regulated
substances within wellfield cones of influence.
Policy 7_9: Consistent with the Potable Water Sub -Element, the county shall continue to extend
the county water 'system, enabling the acquisition of small public, water systems, thereby
reducing the number of residents using the shallow aquifer, which is subject to groundwater
pollution threats.
Polices: Through the. use of fee simple purchase, transfer of development rights, and
conservation easements, Indian River County shall coordinate with other state, federal and local
agencies to identify and protect vegetative communities identified in Conservation Element
policies 6.1 through 6.7.
Future Land Use Element 164
Appendix A
Policy 7..11: The county, in cooperation with the local OH -
.Indian . River, shall continue to regulate the siting of septieseptic systems including siting
requirements to mitigate soil characteristics.
OBJECTIVE 8: PROTECTION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES
Through 2015, at least 95% of unincorporated Indian River County's historic properties
(as identified in "Historic Properties Survey of Indian River County, Florida", prepared by
Historic Property Associates, Inc., April 1989) will continue to be preserved in fair, good,
or excellent condition.
Policy 8.1: The county historian and, as needed, outside consultants and experts shall provide
guidance and advice to the Board of County Commissioners on matters concerning historic and
archaeological preservation. The county historian shall be consulted for recommendations
concerning:
proposed changes to county regulations protecting historic and archaeological
resources; and
projects which may impact historical and archaeological sites identified on the
Florida Master Site File or designated as significant by the Board of County
Commissioners.
Policy 8.2: Indian River County shall use incentives such as transfer of development rights, tax
relief, mitigation, and public acquisitions; and penalties such as fines and imprisonment, to
protect and preserve historically and archaeologically important resources. The following
criteria are used to determine the historical significance of a resource:
• whether or not the resource is at least 50 years old;
• whether or not. the resource contains significant character, interest or value as part of
the historical, cultural, aesthetic and architectural heritage of the county;
• whether or not the resource displays historical, political, cultural, economic, or social
trends of community history;
• whether or not the resource displays unique and/or distinguishing characteristics of an
architectural style, design period, construction method, detail, craftsmanship, or
material; and
• whether or- not the resource is a work by a prominent architect, designer, engineer,
builder or landscape architect.
Policy 8.3: All public and private development or redevelopment proposals shall be reviewed for
their impact upon designated historic resources.
Policy 8.4: Public and private development and redevelopment activities shall cease, at least
temporarily, if historic or archaeological artifacts are discovered, in order to allow for evaluation
of historic significance.
Future Land Use Element 165
Appendix A