Tampa Bay Estuary Program Septic-to-Sewer Project

Project Overview

Pinellas County Utilities is launching a Septic to Sewer Project that will give eligible property owners the opportunity to connect to the County’s sewer system at no cost. This initiative provides a more reliable, long-term wastewater solution while helping protect our environment and local waterways. Through funding from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, the project supports our ongoing efforts to safeguard groundwater and improve water quality by replacing aging septic systems and wastewater infrastructure.

Project Benefits

• Connecting to the sewer system helps protect your home, your neighborhood and the natural resources that make our region unique. Traditional septic systems rely on drain fields to slowly release wastewater. As these systems age or fail, they may not fully treat wastewater, allowing contaminants to enter nearby bays, rivers, lakes, and even drinking water wells. In some cases, it can even surface in yards, which creates significant health concerns.
• Removing septic systems reduces the nutrient pollution that can wash into our waterways and contribute to harmful algae blooms. These blooms affect everything from public health and wildlife to recreation and tourism.
• A connection to our sewer system provides for more modern and reliable wastewater service with reduced odors and need for maintenance, likely resulting in increased property value.

Eligibility

Specific property owners have been identified for this project based on location, proximity to existing sewer service, and priority environmental criteria. If your property has been identified, Pinellas County Utilities will contact you directly to discuss your interest and guide you through the steps needed to participate in the project. We’ll work with those who choose to move forward to complete any required legal agreements that allow the County to perform the work on their property.

Sewer Connection Process

The existing lateral pipeline that connects your home to your septic tank will be located and an appropriate location along the septic lateral will be selected as a connection point for a new sewer service lateral extension. The new sewer lateral extension will be installed from the selected connection point on the existing septic lateral to a connection point on the sewer infrastructure within the County right-of-way or easement.

Once the connection to the Pinellas County Utilities sewer system is in-service, your existing sewer lateral to the septic system will be cut and reconnected to the new sewer lateral. You will only experience a brief interruption in wastewater service during the connection process (two to four hours on average). Any interruption in service will be coordinated with you prior to occurring.

Sewer Service Fees

While Pinellas County will fund your connection to the sewer system, you will be billed for active sewer service once connected. The average cost for residential sewer service is approximately $45 to $55 per month. Pinellas County Utilities currently bills customers for sewer service every other month, or six times a year, so customers can expect to receive bills of approximately $90 to $110 every other month.

Contact Us

Steve Allen
Utility Engineering Specialist Supervisor
Pinellas County Utilities
(727) 464-8418
SAllen@pinellas.gov