Replacing a septic system in the lagoon area, step by step

Florida's septic program moved from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection on July 1, 2021, under the Clean Waterways Act of 2020. FDEP writes the rules, but the environmental health office of the Florida Department of Health in each county still takes the applications, issues the permits and does the inspections. FDEP says questions about a specific property should go to that county office.

In Brevard that is the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Suite A116, Viera, (321) 633-2100. Its new-system permit is $510, or $395 if you submit your own site evaluation; a performance-based treatment system is $520 or $405.

Since January 1, 2024, inside the Indian River Lagoon program area, a new septic system is not allowed where sewer is available, and where it is not, only an enhanced nutrient-reducing (ENR) system is allowed, on any size lot (s. 373.469(3)(d)1., F.S.). FDEP's FAQ adds that a new system construction permit is needed where no system existed before and "in other limited situations," and a replacement permitted that way follows the new-system rules.

If your job is permitted as an ordinary repair instead, state law does not require ENR today. But by July 1, 2030 homes on 10 acres or less in the area must connect to sewer if available or upgrade to ENR, so a conventional replacement now usually means a second project later. In Brevard, a 2018 county ordinance requires advanced systems (65% or more nitrogen removal) on the barrier islands, Merritt Island and the mainland within 197 feet of the lagoon. The three ENR types are on ENR system types.

1. Check sewer first. Ask your utility whether sewer is available or planned before 2030. If it is available, you connect instead. See ENR or sewer.
2. Apply for a grant before any work. In Brevard, the county must approve your septic upgrade grant before work starts.
3. Get two or three written quotes from registered septic contractors, priced on the same items.
4. Site evaluation and design. The contractor or an engineer evaluates the soil and designs the system.
5. Permit application. The contractor files with the county health department. In Brevard the application is not processed until every item is in, and if department staff do the site evaluation it waits at least 48 hours for underground utilities to be located.
6. Installation and inspection. The old tank is abandoned properly, the new system goes in, and the health department inspects it.
7. Service. Aerobic ENR units need power and regular service; keep the contract and records.

Overall timing depends on permit office workload, the contractor's calendar and the weather. Ask both the contractor and the permit office for current wait times.

• Are you a registered septic tank contractor, and will you pull the permit?
• Which ENR type and model are you proposing, and is it approved for my plan area?
• Does your price include design, permit fees, pumping and abandoning the old tank, and restoring the yard?
• What does service cost each year, and who does it?
• Does the system need electricity, and what happens in a power outage?
• Will you accept payment from the county grant directly?
• How long will I be without plumbing?

FDEP links to the state's list of registered septic tank contractors, so you can check a license before you sign. Prices are on septic replacement cost.

Brevard County's grant-paid ENR installs averaged $21,674 across 27 contractors (March 2026), and its grant pays $6,000 to $20,000 per parcel. Fort Pierce Utilities Authority put a new septic system at roughly $20,000 in May 2025, where the health department allows one. See costs, grants and financing, all grants, financing and the cost calculator.

A failed drainfield or a cracked tank can sometimes be repaired under a repair permit instead of a full replacement. Since July 1, 2026, the permit office must tell you about the 2030 rule when you apply (HB 1417). Compare both paths on septic repair and drainfield replacement cost. In the North IRL, a federal order that had stopped new septic permits was vacated on October 8, 2026, but the case continues; see the North IRL court order.

Get a replacement quote from a licensed septic installer that serves your area. The request goes to one company, free and with no obligation.