Merritt Island Septic Phase Out

Project Location

Merritt Island in Brevard County is an island connected to the mainland by wet marshes and manmade bridges. It lies between two impaired water bodies, the IRL and the BRL. The BRL is located between the barrier island communities of Cape Canaveral, Indian Harbour Beach, and Merritt Island, and at its southern end connects to the IRL. The majority of the subject project is located in BRL B subbasin 3044A Newfound Harbor.

Project Summary

The project was constructed in three phases. Phase 1 converted 23 properties near SR 520 from septic to sewer. Phase 2 constructed stormwater infrastructure and water quality treatment train, which involves piping a ditch, diverting stormwater to a treatment pond through a bioswale, and retrofitting the outfall with a denitrification bioreactor.

Phase 2 also constructed a sanitary sewer system to serve approximately 55 parcels within the Cone Road Industrial Area. Phase 3 of the project included converting the 55 septic parcels to sewer. The estimated nutrient load reduction to the Indian River Lagoon is 2,501 lbs./yr. TN and 822 lbs./yr. TP.

Project Goals

• Waterbodies impacted: Indian River Lagoon and Banana River Lagoon
• Community Improvement: Sidewalk

Merritt Island in Brevard County is an island connected to the mainland by wet marshes and manmade bridges. It lies between two impaired water bodies, the IRL and the BRL. The BRL is located between the barrier island communities of Cape Canaveral, Indian Harbour Beach, and Merritt Island, and at its southern end connects to the IRL. The majority of the subject Project is located in BRL B subbasin 3044A Newfound Harbor.

The treatment train improvements included: existing undersized piping replacement with a bio swale to divert stormwater flows to the underutilized Brevard County stormwater pond; and; retrofit of the existing outfall ditch to include a denitrification bioreactor.

Project Cost & Funding

Total Project Cost: $3,138,098
Total Construction Cost: $2,764,410
EPA CWA 319(h) non-point pollution grant for the Cone Road Industrial Park Septic Tank Phase Out portion of the project: $400,000
Brevard Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program

Community Engagement

Following construction of the sewer system, property owners were notified of their ability to connect to the central sewer system and phase out their individual septic systems. A General Contractor was selected through MIRA and individual property owner agreements were designed to protect the Contractor and MIRA from liability. The agreements were provided for the abandonment of the septic tanks and construction of the plumbing tie-in and laterals from the building to the Right-of-Way. MIRA oversaw the program, including funding for Grant reimbursement, and provided a continuous public involvement program throughout the project.

The Public Involvement portion of the program included educational workshops, promotional videos, and newsletters regarding the effects of this project on the water quality of the Lagoon, owner responsibility, and MIRA’s efforts in funding this program.

Outcomes & Results

Monitoring for this project consists of pollutant removal efficiency of the project by comparing pollutant loads at the inflows and outflows of the project via auto sampler/flowmeter systems. Base sampling will begin prior to septic phase out and continue for one (1) year following implementation of the phase out and treatment train. Parameters Include TN/TP/TSS/Fecal Coliform and Turbidity. Event concentrations, loads, and removal rates are presented. Reports are delivered to FDEP/SJRWMD covering the monitoring period and including the baseline parameters and all storm event results. This area is currently being monitored for all the parameters at the Fortenberry Outfall Canal (DEP contract No. S0646) which lies east of the Cone Road Ditch and flows out to the BRL.

Water quality/quantity benefits: 2,500 lbs./yr. of TN and 822 lbs./yr. of TP

Problems encountered: Coordination with homeowners was very time consuming.

Additional Resources

Design Specifications

Methods & Used Data