City Septic to Sewer Program (STS)

Status Update:

5.8.25: Staff has drafted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the STS Engineering Program Manager and will present it to the GBRWS Board on June 19, 2025, for a recommendation to the City Council for approval.

4.15.2025: The City was recently awarded a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant totaling $12,219,200 to support the completion of all remaining septic-to-sewer (STS) conversion projects within the city limits. This funding presents a unique opportunity to advance conversion projects within the city limits.  Four of the City's twelve STS project areas are under construction, or soon to be under construction: Highpoint STS, Fairpoint STS, Florida/Montrose STS, and Shoreline Phase I STS. While all projects are expected to be implemented successfully, the design and bidding of four separate projects with different engineering consultants and contractors have proved challenging, for example, inconsistent service and designs, and coordination challenges.

For the balance of the STS projects to be funded by the new $12 million grant, staff recommended moving forward with a consolidated STS Program and presented the following two strategies to the GBRWS Board on April 14, 2025: Engineering Program Manager or a Progressive Design-Build with Incremental Funding. The Engineering Program Manager offers a middle ground approach, preserving traditional construction bidding while adding consistency through a centralized engineering team. Progressive Design-Build represents a more modern and fully integrated approach suited for delivering the remaining STS areas efficiently and flexibly.  The GBRWS Board recommended that the remaining septic-to-sewer areas within the city limits be designed and constructed under the oversight of a designated Engineering Program Manager. Staff will be draft an RFQ for the STS Engineering Program Manager to present to the GBRWS Board for a recommendation to the City Council for approval.

Project Outlook: January through June 2025 

• --Montrose STS and Florida Ave STS Areas - Construction contracts have been awarded to Utility Services Company.  Construction underway with completion expected by Fall 2026.
• --Bay Cliffs STS Area - Staff is seeking approval for the redesign to LPS on April 21, 2025.
• --Fairpoint STS Area - Construction contract has been awarded to L&K Contracting. Construction underway with completion expected late 2025.
• --Highpoint STS Area has been awarded to L&K Contracting Co. Construction underway with completion expected late 2025.
• --Shoreline STS Area Phase I - Construction solicitation expected to occur Summer 2025.
• --Shoreline STS Area Phase II - Construction solicitation expected to occur Summer 2025.
• --Eufaula STS Area - expecting construction to begin 2026
• --Gilmore STS Area - expecting construction to begin 2027
• --Hoffman Bayou STS Area - expecting construction to begin 2026
• --Poinciana STS Area - expecting construction to begin 2028
• --San Carlos STS Area  - expecting construction to begin 2027
• --Warwick STS Area - expecting construction to begin 2028
• --West Bay Shores STS Area - Awaiting grant funding
• --East Bay Heights STS Area - Awaiting grant funding