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New Smyrna Beach Utilities is pleased to announce we were awarded $11.4 million through the 2024-2025 Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Water Quality Improvement Grant Program to help fund the Silver Sands Septic to Sewer conversion project. This amount is in addition to the $7.5 million previously awarded. The project is now substantially funded, and we will proceed with the subsequent phases. NSBU will continue to review various funding options to cover project expenses in excess of the awarded amounts.

Silver Sands Project Overview

Project Background and Purpose

In December of 2023, New Smyrna Beach Utilities (NSBU) was awarded $7.5 million in grant funding for the conversion of residential septic systems to sanitary sewer in the Silver Sands area. In early 2025, NSBU was awarded an additional $11.4 million in grant funding for construction costs as well as for private connection costs.

Silver Sands is located in the southern portion of New Smyrna Beach, between the Atlantic coast and the intercoastal waterway. This septic to sewer project will convert approximately 554 residential septic systems to centralized sewer. Once the residents are connected to the sewer system, the wastewater generated will be treated at NSBU’s treatment facility through a lift station and gravity collection system.

The new sewer system will be constructed within the right-of-way; however, a portion of the system will need to be constructed on each property to connect the home to the sewer system. While the new gravity system is being constructed and installed, the water mains in the area will be replaced. The existing water mains are asbestos cement pipes and are estimated to be nearing the end of their useful life. 

The purpose of this project is to comply with all State regulations related to septic systems. While installing a new centralized wastewater system in the area NSBU has opted to add a Capital Project to address the aging potable water piping.

Silver Sands Project Map
Silver Sands Project Area Map as of 11/19/2024. Map shows Silver Sands service area and New Smyrna Beach parcels.

Project Drivers

In recent years, the Florida Department of Environmental Projection (FDEP) has implemented several rules and regulations related to wastewater treatment, and specifically septic systems including House Bill 1379. Additionally, ordinances have been implemented by Volusia County and the City of New Smyrna Beach related to septic systems. These rules and regulations include:

  • Established to clean up water bodies.
  • Requires creating plans to improve specific septic systems.
  • Transferred control and monitoring of septic systems from public health (Florida Department of Health) to environmental impact management (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) in 2022.
  • Introduced mandatory septic system inspections.
  • FDEP Website for Clean Waterways Act.
  • Clean Waterways Act Regulations (PDF).
  • Volusia County: Property owners must connect to available sewer systems.
  • New Smyrna Beach: Properties must switch to centralized wastewater systems and abandon existing septic systems when public ones are available.
  • New Smyrna Beach Utilities: Properties with septic systems must connect to a publicly owned wastewater collection system within 365 days after notification that the system is available.
  • In May 2025 the US District Court, Middle District of Florida Orlando Division issued an order and permanent injunction against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
  • Through this order, beginning on July 17, 2025, FDEP cannot issue new permits for the construction and installation of septic systems within the North Indian River Lagoon. The order does not affect the issuance of repair permits.
  • This moratorium will terminate in the event that FDEP is issued an Incidental Take Permit, which would allow FDEP to indirectly harm federally protected species such as manatees.

Project Schedule, Progress, and Next Steps

On June 26, 2024, NSBU entered into a contract with an engineering consultant to develop cost effective solutions and strategies to design, permit, and construct the Silver Sands sanitary sewer system. This process includes preliminary engineering, detailed design, and construction.

A preliminary project schedule has been developed for this multi-year project, which is expected to be completed prior to, or by, July 1, 2030. As of January 2026, detailed design is underway, and construction is anticipated to begin in early 2027.

Need a New Septic System Before the Project is Complete?

If a property requires a new septic system prior to the Silver Sands Septic System Replacement Project completion, there are a few key components that should be considered including:

  1. State Regulations
  2. Variances
  3. Timeframe of Replacement
  4. Cost to Replace vs Cost to Connect

State Regulations: In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1379, with the goal of reducing nitrogen loading from septic systems. Nitrogen loading refers to the amount of nitrogen released into a water body. HB 1379 requires advanced wastewater collection and treatment systems, commonly referred to as performance-based septic systems or nitrogen reducing systems.

HB 1379 requires homeowners within a Reasonable Assurance Plan (RAP) area to either install a nitrogen reducing septic system or connect to a central sewer system by January 1, 2030. A RAP is a strategic plan designed to outline actions and measures that ensure ongoing attainment and maintenance of water quality standards for impaired water bodies. Silver Sands is located within a RAP area, which means all residents will either need to update their septic systems or connect to the central sewer system once the Silver Sands Septic System Replacement Project is complete.

Key dates associated with HB 1379 are provided below:

  • January 1, 2024 – all permit applications for a new septic system, including septic system components such as a drainfield, are required to install a nitrogen reducing system.
  • January 1, 2030 – all property with an existing septic system must connect to a centralized sewer system or upgrade to a nitrogen reducing system.

Variances: Through Florida Statute Chapter 318.00655(2)(c), NSBU is able to grant a variance to an owner of a performance-based septic system permitted through FDEP. The owner of the performance-based septic system must ensure that the system is functioning properly and satisfies all conditions of the operating permit.

Applications for a variance will be made available as the project progresses.

The choice between connecting to a centralized sewer system or installing a performance-based septic system and applying for a variance with NSBU is entirely up to the property owner. The information provided herein aims to assist in the decision-making process and is not intended to influence the homeowner in any specific direction.

Additional resources related to nitrogen reducing septic systems can be found here:

FAQs

    1. New Smyrna Beach Utilities (NSBU) is installing centralized sewer to protect the environment in New Smyrna Beach as well as comply with rules and regulations for areas within a Basin Management Action Plan and Reasonable Assurance Plan area.
    1. There are approximately 554 homes within the Silver Sands community which currently treat their household wastewater through a septic system. This program would install and connect these homes to a centralized wastewater system where all household wastewater would be treated at the NSBU wastewater treatment facility.
    1. There are several benefits of connecting to a centralized sewer system, including:
      1. Environmental Protection: Centralized sewer systems help to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater into groundwater, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. By having the wastewater treated at a wastewater treatment plant, pollutants can be removed before the water is released back into the environment.
      2. Convenience and Reliability: Connecting to a centralized sewer system eliminates the need for individual septic tanks which require regular maintenance, monitoring, and occasional repairs by the homeowner. The sewer system provides a more convenient and reliable way to manage wastewater and frees the homeowner from the responsibility of managing their own system.
      3. Increased Property Value: Properties connected to a sewer system often have higher resale values compared to those relying on septic systems.
    1. Section 82-159 of the City Ordinances, Section 122-55 of the County Ordinances, and Resolution 10-83 of New Smyrna Beach Utilities requires connection to central sewer within 365 days once it becomes available.
  1. New Smyrna Beach Utilities has contracted an engineering firm, Kimley-Horn and Associates, to design the gravity sewer system. Following the design of the system, construction will begin. During construction a pipe will be placed to be connected to the existing septic system cleanout pipe on your home. Once this connection is complete, residents will be fully connected to the centralized wastewater system.
  1. During construction residents can expect the following, depending on your location:
    1. Frequent communication and updates from the project team
    2. Construction noise and traffic
    3. Temporary road closures and detours
    4. Temporary service interruptions, with prior notice
    5. Construction equipment and materials within easements near residential property
    6. Dust and debris from construction activities.
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    1. This is expected to be a multi-year project; at this time it is unknown when construction will begin. However, construction is estimated to be completed by January 1, 2030.
    1. The cost to residents is unknown that this time as NSBU is analyzing the equitable distribution of grant funds which will be utilized toward the cost for residents to connect to the sewer system. The amount of grant funding utilized toward an individual property will also be dependent on the number of residents who wish to connect to the centralized wastewater system at the time of the project.
    2. In addition, each homeowner will be subject to the one-time capital connection cost of $2,040 to connect to the NSBU sewer system. Additionally, there will be monthly charges associated with the use of the wastewater system, similar to a water bill. Please call Customer Service at 386-427-1361 to get an accurate estimate based on your water usage.
    1. In addition to the Silver Sands Project website, community meetings will be held at regular intervals to provide updates about the project.
  1. For all questions, please contact Ellen Fisher at 386-424-3003 or visit the project website at https://projects.nsbufl.com/.

Project Contact

Ellen Fisher, APR
Communications Manager
New Smyrna Beach Utilities
386-424-3003

[email protected]

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