Chairman Gilbert hosts groundbreaking for District 1 Septic to Sewer Conversion Program with $1 million dollars to address the County’s critical septic systems

 
Left to Right: Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III speaks at District 1 Septic to Sewer Conversion Program groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 14 at Ives Estates Tennis Center. Mayor Daniella Levin Cava, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) Director, Roy Coley, Miami-Dade County staff and construction partners join Chairman Gilbert for a photo to commemorate the groundbreaking and launch of the program.
(Photos by: Godfrey Mead/Miami-Dade County)

MIAMI-DADE – Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III launched the District 1 Septic to Sewer Conversion Program with a designation of $1 million dollars at a groundbreaking ceremony to introduce the program on Thursday, Sept. 14 at Ives Estates Tennis Center, 1475 Ives Dairy Rd., Miami, FL 33179.

“How we save our environment, preserve our bay, and increase economic development opportunities is by eliminating every septic tank not only in District 1 but in Miami-Dade County,” said Chairman Gilbert. “I know that many homeowners do not have the means to afford this conversion for their property, so this is where the government steps in. We will begin this program with one homeowner at a time until we are done.”

The District 1 Septic to Sewer Conversion Program is spearheaded by Chairman Gilbert and includes a contribution of $1 million dollars from his budget. Other partners include the City of Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD). Together, the entities will fund the program to address the more than nine thousand properties in District 1 that are currently served by septic tanks.

The first phase of the program, which will begin in just two weeks, will provide connections to the County’s centralized sanitary sewer system for over 60 homeowners whose septic systems are currently at risk of failing due to age, threats of contamination caused by flooding, and increasing sea-level rise. If not for this monetary contribution, it would cost homeowners approximately $10,000-$15,000 to connect their private property to the County’s sewer infrastructure.

Additionally, converting to sanitary sewer service will bring many positive benefits for homeowners such as increased property values and more flexibility with home improvements. Through this program, Chairman Gilbert’s goal is to ensure sustainability and prosperity for a better tomorrow.