Palm Bay starts design for 99-home lagoon septic-to-sewer scheme
City of Palm Bay Utilities Department, Florida · Meeting date: November 5, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
Palm Bay City Council has authorized Kimley-Horn to design the Zone A septic-to-sewer conversion in Highland Shores Estates. The project combines low-pressure sewers with the replacement and relocation of Lift Station 56, supporting a state-funded effort to curb potential nutrient migration to the Indian River Lagoon.
Key points
- Council approved a $398,800 task order with Kimley-Horn and Associates for engineering design, surveys, environmental work, permitting assistance and bidding support.
- Zone A will extend approximately 1.5 miles of low-pressure force main and provide service laterals to 99 properties now served by private septic systems.
- The project includes replacing and relocating Lift Station 56, installing about 750 linear feet of new force main and connecting to an existing 20-inch PVC force main on Clearmont Street.
- Palm Bay expects $3.72 million in FDEP cost-share grant funding; construction must be complete by October 31, 2030, with $2.75 million designated for preconstruction and construction.
Full report
Palm Bay City Council has authorized a $398,800 engineering assignment for a 99-home septic-to-sewer conversion intended to reduce potential nutrient loading to the Indian River Lagoon.
The approved task order appoints Kimley-Horn and Associates to take the Zone A conversion through design, environmental review, permitting and bidding. The work is part of the Brevard County Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan, which identifies septic-to-sewer projects as a means to reduce nutrient contributions to the lagoon.
Zone A, comprising the A1 and A2 areas in the Highland Shores Estates subdivision, will transition approximately 99 residences from onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to Palm Bay's centralized wastewater collection system. The planned system includes about 1.5 miles of low-pressure force main in existing city rights-of-way, with service laterals stubbed to each property for future connections. Connections on private property are not included in the project.
The scheme will discharge to city-owned gravity sewer manholes in Highland Shores Estates. It also calls for Lift Station 56 to be replaced and relocated to an adjacent undeveloped parcel, with flows rerouted to the new station. Approximately 750 linear feet of new force main is planned along Mandarin Drive NE, connecting to an existing 20-inch PVC force main in the Clearmont Street right-of-way. City staff have confirmed that the 20-inch main has capacity for redirected Lift Station 56 flows and the additional Zone A flows.
Kimley-Horn's scope includes hydraulic modelling of the low-pressure system and lift station, 30%, 60%, 90% and final design packages, survey and geotechnical services, electrical and SCADA design for the replacement lift station, and applications for state wastewater-collection and city right-of-way permits. A permanently installed standby generator is assumed for the relocated station.
Palm Bay will receive $3.72 million in Florida Department of Environmental Protection cost-share grant funding for the wider project. Construction must be completed by October 31, 2030; $2.75 million of the grant is designated for preconstruction and construction activities. The design task order is funded from the Utilities Department's Project Fund 26WS12.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Regular Council Meeting, City of Palm Bay Utilities Department