§         What is the City doing?

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Water and Wastewater Capital Improvements Program, or WaterWorks 2011, is a program that includes public utilities infrastructure repair, replacement, and upgrades to be constructed over a 20-year period that started in 2001.  The bulk of this work is scheduled to be completed by 2011, the City’s 100-year anniversary.  The program includes major improvements to the City’s potable water production and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as the construction of new sanitary sewers in the approximately 40% of the City that was still using septic tanks.

§         Why is the City doing this?

The City is making a major capital investment in its public utilities infrastructure in order that it may continue to improve the high quality and reliability of the drinking water it provides to City residents; and to insure that the wastewater collection and treatment system continues to meet the high standard of health and safety that residents in the City of Fort Lauderdale enjoy and expect.

 §         By what process did the City decide to do this, and how were residents notified in advance that this Program was being considered?

The City’s Utility Engineering Consultants prepared an update of the Utilities Master Plan in 1999.   This work identified the improvements the City would have to make over the next 20 years to maintain and improve the level of service provided to City residents.  This has been a lengthy and deliberative process, with decisions made in public forum at Commission meetings and communicated at public hearings held to discuss the proposed work. 

§         I have a question I want answered and I want to talk to a human being, not a machine.

Contact WaterWorks 2011 Call Center at 954-522-2604 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM and speak with our receptionist.  This person will answer your question right away if possible, or will forward it to the appropriate person or department for a response.  Our commitment is to provide a response to you within one business day of your request.

§         I would like someone to come to a meeting with my group and explain the Program in more detail.

Contact WaterWorks 2011 Call Center at 954-522–2604 and speak with our receptionist.  We will discuss your schedule and arrange for one of our representatives to meet with your group at a time and place of your choosing.

§         My septic tank works great.  Why has the City decided to build sewers?

Septic tanks can appear to work well for a long time, but over time, and particularly in congested areas, they begin to have unacceptable impacts upon groundwater and adjacent surface waters.  There are tremendous amounts of chemicals in everyday household products that get used and then poured down a sink or bath drain.  With a septic system, if these chemicals are not bio-degradable, they ultimately find their way into the environment (ground and surface water).  To maintain, protect, and improve the environmental quality in the City of Fort Lauderdale, the City is extending sanitary sewer service to the entire City so that these wastes can be collected, properly treated and disposed.

§         My septic tank is currently failing, but the schedule shows that I won’t get sanitary sewer service anytime soon; what can I do about it?

Unfortunately the installation of these sewers is such a large and complex project that it does not allow us the flexibility to address the individual schedules of property owners.  You will have to maintain your septic system until the sanitary sewer service in your area is operable.

§         How did you decide who gets sanitary sewers first?

The Program Management Team (PMT) and City staff undertook a lengthy prioritization process that ranked the areas to be sewered on many different criteria.  The two most important criteria in determining the final schedule were capacity of the existing wastewater conveyance system (can we get the wastewater to the plant for treatment), and potential environmental impacts.  Environmental considerations included influence on public well fields, areas adjacent to surface water bodies, low lying or flood prone areas, and areas with high septic system failure rates.

§         I received a letter asking where I want to have my sewer lateral connection placed.  I have no idea what you are talking about and how do I figure this out?

The sewer lateral connection is the point at which you will hook your sanitary sewer pipe into the City’s system. Placement of the sewer lateral connection at your property line is very important because it can have a significant impact on the cost of the work you will have to do on your private property.   You will want to show us where to put the lateral connection so that you have the shortest amount of pipe to install, and so that you minimize the amount of restoration work you have to do on your own property. 

 Please contact WaterWorks 2011 Call Center at 954-522-2604 to verify that the City has received your Sewer Lateral Location Questionnaire form or to request that one be mailed to you.

 §         How will areas annexed by the City be impacted by this program?

Areas currently receiving City of Fort Lauderdale water and/or sewer service may experience some improvements in their area (such as water main replacement and/or sewer rehabilitation), and will also likely benefit from planned regional improvements (such as planned improvements to the City’s water treatment plants).

The City of Fort Lauderdale currently has plans to construct sewers in the Riverland Annexed Area (Chula Vista, River Landings, Lauderdale Isles, and Riverland Woods) under WaterWorks 2011. The only exception within the Riverland Annexed Area is the Riverland Village neighborhood, which is currently being sewered by Broward County.  Sewers will be available for connection prior to that time in a small area adjoining the City’s Sewer Area No. 4 (River Run, Flamingo Park and Oak River).  Under the Riverland Annexation Agreement, Broward County contributed $700,000 to the City, and the City agreed to not charge Connection Fees to residential properties in this area.

The City also has plans to construct sewers in the Twin Lakes North neighborhood under the WaterWorks 2011 Program. Under the Twin Lakes North Annexation Agreement, Broward County contributed the connection fee. As with the Riverland Annex, residents will be required to pay the monthly sewer user charge and the 10% surcharge.  Property owners are also responsible for the on-site re-plumbing of the property to connect to the new sewers (including septic tank abandonment).

§         The City is only going to do the work in the public right-of-way (the street and swale).  Who does the plumbing work on my property?

Under law, the City cannot perform work on private property, so a connection point to the sanitary sewer will be installed at your property line and you have the following options for completing the connection on your private property:

1.       Contract with a licensed and insured plumbing company to do the work; or

2.       Perform the work yourself as an Owner-Builder.

 §         I don’t want the construction contractor damaging my property, how will you prevent this?

The Construction Contractor is to work only in the public right-of-way and is not to go on private property.  He is required to restore any damage to public or private property that he may cause. Private property damage will be handled as claims against the construction contractor’s insurance policy.  Before any construction starts in the public right-of-way, the Construction Contractor and/or the City’s Inspector will carefully videotape the existing condition of the street and those portions of adjacent properties around the work area.   This videotape will serve as the evidence as to whether any damage in question might have been a pre-existing condition. We also recommend that you take your own photographs of your property prior to construction and have them readily available in the case of a dispute. 

§         Who do I call when the construction contractor creates a problem for me and I want some action to resolve it?

The City will have both a Construction Inspector and a Construction Manager watching each construction project.  If you have a problem call 954-522-2604 and tell them your address. We will have the appropriate person come to your residence and work with the construction contractor to address the problem.  

§         The construction contractor is going to tear up the street.  How will I get in and out of my home?

As a general rule, the construction contractor is not supposed to block access to your house for more than two hours during a work-day, and he has to make provisions for safe access to your home during the night and on weekends.  However, there may be occasions when the nature of the work forces the contractor to close access to your driveway for longer than two hours.  The construction inspector will be at the work site throughout the day, and he will work with you to solve any problems that might arise.  If you encounter difficulty, call 954-522-2604 and we will direct the inspector to meet with you and the contractor at your house to address the problem.

§         How long can I expect this work to be in front of my house?

Once the construction contract has been executed, we can more accurately determine when you can expect the different phases of construction to occur in your neighborhood.  In most cases, there will be four construction events that impact the street in front of your house.  

1.       The first and noisiest will occur when the construction contractor excavates and installs the sewer pipes in a deep trench usually in the center of the street.  This work moves relatively slowly, but should be past your house within a few weeks.  As the work moves forward, the construction contractor will do interim clean-ups and make sure the area is safe for pedestrian and automotive traffic. 

2.       The second event will be the installation of the sanitary sewer service laterals to the property line.  As with the pipe-laying work, the actual work should not take more than a few weeks in any one location.   The construction contractor will do interim clean-ups and make sure the area is safe for pedestrian and automotive traffic. 

3.       The third event will occur when the construction contractor comes through to begin road restoration. The contractor uses heavy rollers that compact the road base. In some instances residents may feel a vibration from this work. It is advised that any unsecured decoration on the wall be taken off for safe keeping. After the road base is constructed the asphalt will be installed.

4.        The fourth event will occur once the road has been restored. The contractor is responsible for restoring the construction area to its pre-construction condition. This includes restoration of sidewalks, driveways, swale restoration and damage to private property adjacent to the work area.

PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided to residents only as a guide. It is difficult to predict the length of time the construction process will last on any given street. Many times there are many unknown circumstances that may delay construction on a particular street.

 §         How will garbage, recycling, bulk trash, or yard waste pick-up occur if the street in front of my house is blocked due to construction?

In most cases the contractor will be able to move the road barricades to allow access for the pickup.  However, in a few cases the construction activity may completely block the roadway limiting access for the trash collection trucks.  In this case, the contractor will move the collection cart or recycling bin to the end of the street and will return it after the pick-up has occurred.  To ensure that the correct cart or bin is returned to you, the contractor may place a piece of masking tape or other temporary marking on your cart or bin noting your house number or other identification.  If you see this type of identification on your cart or bin, please leave it in place until the construction is complete on your street. 

In the case of bulk trash or yard waste, the contractor may move the material to a location where the collection truck can access it. In addition, during construction the sanitation crews may service your area at an earlier time than you normally expect them to be there.  To assist the sanitation crews in continuing to provide you with efficient and uninterrupted service, we ask that you please place your garbage and yard waste carts, recycling bins, and bulk materials at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pickup days.  If you have any questions regarding trash pick-up, please call the City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Line at 954-828-8000.

§         I received a notice from the construction company saying that streets in my neighborhood will be paved.  Why hasn’t the paving been completed as stated in the notice?

The contractor makes every attempt to stay on schedule with the paving notice that was sent out.  However, certain events can change the schedule. As and example, sporadic heavy rains can complicate road construction efforts, making it difficult for the contractor to maintain a set paving schedule.  Asphalt pavement cannot be placed over a wet base, and heavy rainfall can quickly breakdown graded lime-rock surfaces.  When heavy rains occur throughout the area, the schedule for paving is delayed and it can take several days for subcontractors to catch up. 

§         What are you doing about maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) on public streets? 

Each construction contractor is required to prepare a maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) plan that addresses how they are going to maintain traffic on a street by street basis.   The PMT must approve this plan before the construction contractor is allowed to start work.   In addition, when major roads are shut down or partially closed, media outlets and civic associations will be updated via press releases.

§         What are the disadvantages of having a pump station located on or near my property? 

 The utility's pump station maintenance program is quite aggressive, and the only impact a nearby resident would likely be subject to is odor or noise for a short period during the maintenance.  If you have a concern regarding a pump station, you can call the WaterWorks 2011 Call Center at 954-522-2604. 

·         Will the City be installing traps on the sewer lateral?
No. The City of Fort Lauderdale will not be installing traps on the sewer laterals. Installing a valve will have the potential of clogging the system with any solids within the waste water system.  

Fort Lauderdale Chief Plumbing Inspector Stated that:

 Section 608.1 The Florida plumbing 2004 edition: calls for backflow valves at meters due to pressure loss in the city water mains from fire department connections to hydrants, loss of pressure from the city pump systems. That is where cross connection is at the highest level. Backflow valves are very important to protect the City of Fort Lauderdale’s potable drinking water system. NOTE THE BACKFLOW VALVES ARE FOR POTABLE WATER ONLY NOT SEWER.   

·         What will happen to the system after a hurricane and the electricity fails?

The City of Fort Lauderdale has various emergency plans in place as well as partnerships with other cities. In the event that power is not being supplied to the pump stations, the City can connect a generator that will supply the needed electricity to the pump station to properly function. An alternative plan would be to have Public Utilities monitor the pump stations and pump out the waste water with a vacuum truck. The City has these trucks available and can also request assistance from other Cities with the same equipment.

§         What costs do I, as a property owner, have to pay to hook up to the new sanitary sewer system?

You will have to pay a one-time cost to convert your property from septic tank to sanitary sewer service.  If you own a single-family home, you can expect the one-time cost to be on the order of $2,500 to $4,500.  This one-time conversion cost consists of two amounts:

§         Connection Fee: the sanitary sewer connection fee is a one-time cost ($1,000 for single family homes) that must be paid to the City within 90-days following completion of the sanitary sewer system in your neighborhood,  and prior to receiving a plumbing permit to hook-up to the new system.

§         Private Plumbing costs: It is estimated to cost approximately $1,500–$3,500 to properly abandon your existing septic tank and install the plumbing pipe from your house to the sewer lateral connection that the City will install at your property line.  The actual cost will be determined by the conditions in your yard.  The further you have to run the sewer pipe, the more difficult the digging conditions, the greater the cost.   We recommend that you contact at least five licensed and insured plumbing companies that will provide you with a free estimate for the cost of the installation, abandoning the existing septic tank and restoration of your property.

You will also have to pay a sewer service fee as part of your monthly utility bill.  For a typical single family home, you can expect to pay an average monthly bill for sanitary sewer service between $33 and $44 per month.   The monthly sewer fee covers the cost to process the sewage and includes a 10% surcharge that will be in effect for a 20-year period, as required for payment of funding for the WaterWorks 2011 Program.  The monthly sewer charge will begin appearing on your utility bill 90-days after the sanitary sewer system is certified as complete.

§         How will homes and businesses be assessed and billed for this project?

Sanitary sewer rates and connection fees are based on the requirements of City Ordinance No. C-02-39.  At the time of connection to the sewer system, customers will pay a sewer connection fee based on an Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) factor.  An ERC factor is a flow-based measure of a customer’s use of the sanitary sewer collection system.

The connection fee for residential properties is based upon one of the following:

§         A standard single family detached home will be charged one ERC with an associated connection fee of $1,000.

§         Duplexes and triplexes will be charged one ERC per dwelling unit, with associated connection fees of $2,000 for duplexes and $3,000 for triplexes.

§         The connection fee for multi-family residential properties with more than three dwelling units will be 0.805 ERC per dwelling unit, with associated connection fees computed as follows: 0.805 X (Number of Dwelling Units) X ($1,000).

ERC factors for non-residential properties will be determined by one of two methods. 

1.       ERC rates for nonresidential properties will be based upon each customer’s actual water consumption for the preceding 36 months if this data is available and if it is determined that it is a reasonable basis of estimating current water use.  The following methodology is used to calculate the ERC rate for a nonresidential property based upon water consumption history:

§         First, the three highest billing periods from the proceeding 36 consecutive months are determined. 

§         Next, the average daily consumption of the three highest billing periods is calculated and then divided by 300 (the maximum daily water demand in gallons per day (gpd) for a standard single family residence). 

§         Finally, this number, the ERC factor, is then multiplied by $1,000 to determine the sewer connection fee amount. 

2.       On the other hand, if reliable water consumption records are not available or are not determined to be a reasonable basis for estimating current water use for a particular non-residential property, then the promulgated ERC factor (based on flow projections by type of property use as described by Broward County’s Office of Environmental Services) will be utilized. 

Finally, in all areas where new sanitary sewers will be constructed there will be a 10% surcharge on the sanitary sewer rates for those customers receiving new sanitary sewers.  This surcharge will take effect 90 days after the project completion date as established by the City Engineer.  The surcharge will be payable through the utility bill and will be in effect for a 20-year period.  

§         Why do I have to connect and pay these costs?

At the onset of this program, the City Commission endorsed a 20-year financial plan for WaterWorks 2011, which included projected rate increases (such as the 10% surcharge) and fees (such as the one-time connection fee) that are necessary to fund the improvements over the 20-year life of the program.  The financial plan was developed so that, for most water and sewer customers, the improvements will be funded out of municipal utility fees.  Since over a half billion dollars will be spent during the first 10-years of the program, it is important that property owners pay the one-time connection fee ($1,000 for a single family home) and hook-up to the sewer system within 90-days of the project’s completion date, to provided a consistent flow of revenue for the program.

§         When do I have to pay these costs?

The costs outlined above will not be incurred until construction of the sewers serving your area is complete and ready for you to connect to the system.  Once you receive the 90-day official connection notification, you are required to pay and hook up to the system within 90-days.  Please keep in mind that this is a 10-year program, and service to your area may not be completed for some time.   You can call 954-522-2604, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, to find out when the construction of the sanitary sewers serving your area is anticipated to be completed.

§         What forms of payment are accepted?

Check or money orders made payable to “City of Fort Lauderdale” in U.S. dollars.  Visa and Mastercard are also accepted.

§         Is the connection fee tax deductible?

                You should consult your tax advisor.

 §         What happens if I cannot afford the connection fee and the one-time plumbing costs?

Advance notice of these sewer improvements and their associated costs should allow for individual financial planning by property owners.  In addition, the City is offering to finance the $1000 sewer connection fee to homeowners of homesteaded properties, and there is a grant program for very low income households.  Property owners may contact the Grants Administrator for the WaterWorks 2011 Program at 954-828-4502, if they have any questions.

§         Is financial assistance available to help me pay the one-time connection costs?

Financed Connection Fee: For those owner-occupied or property owners who don’t qualify for the Sewer Connection Grant Program, the City will finance the connection fee for a 5-year period at an annual interest rate of 6% compounded monthly, under the following requirements:

§         The property owner must also be the occupant (“owner-occupant”);

§         The property owner may only finance the connection fee for the unit of where he/she reside;

§         The property owner must sign a promissory note at the City’s Water Billing Department, located on the first floor of City Hall at 100 North Andrews Avenue, before the end of the 90-day connection period;

§         Monthly payments for the financed connection fee will be added to the monthly utility bill for that property ($19.33/month);

§         Failure to pay the loan will lead to collection actions and placement of a lien, if necessary, as authorized by Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances.  The loan must be paid in full before the homeowner can refinance, sell or transfer the property to another owner.

WaterWorks 2011 Sewer Connection Grant Program: Money for this program is provided by the Federal Government in the form of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and therefore is dependent upon the funding allocated to the City of Fort Lauderdale each year.   The grant is only for very low income (50% or below medium income), owner-occupied single family homeowners.  If approved, this program provides a grant to pay the City’s $1,000 sanitary sewer fee, and provides a plumber to hook-up the private-side plumbing, and abandon your septic tank (which has an estimated value of $1,500 to $3,500).

§         How do I know if I qualify for the Sewer Connection Grant? 

In order to qualify for the sewer connection fee grant, you must be the owner and the occupant of a single family property (“owner-occupant”).  In addition, your total household income must be at 50% or below the median income as established by the Federal Government. The Grants Administrator can provide these income levels.

§         When can I fill out the grant application?

Because the grant funding is supplied by the Federal Government, the City is required to follow its specific guidelines.  Information provided by the applicant is only good for a maximum of 120 days.  Therefore, the timing of the acceptance of applications is critical in relationship to the start of the 90-day hook-up period, and is timed to coincide as closely as possible with the end of construction in your area.  If you think your income is below the 50% median, call the Grants Administrator at 954-828-4502 and she will place your name in the grant database.  Based on your neighborhood’s construction schedule, she will contact you at the appropriate time to schedule an appointment for you to come in and fill out the application.  You must fill out the application in person – applications received by mail or dropped off cannot be processed.

§         I’ve submitted my application but have not heard back from the City on whether I’m qualified or not.  When will I find out if I’ve been awarded the grant money?

Please keep in mind that we can only process applications for property owners located in sewer project areas where construction has just been completed or is near completion, and who fill out their application in the grants office.  If you mailed or dropped off your application, you will be contacted at the appropriate time – when construction is nearing completion in your neighborhood – to make an appointment to come in and fill out a new application.  Only properly filled out and submitted applications with all required HUD documentation can be processed.  Properly completed applications will be processed on a “first come – first ready – first served” basis.  You can anticipate hearing back from the Grants Administrator four to six weeks after the processing of your application has started.  As always, you can contact the Grants Administrator at 954-828-4502 to check on the status of your application.

§         I’ve just been awarded the $1,000 grant for the Sewer’s one-time connection fee.  Will the money come directly to me?

No, the money will not come directly to you.  It goes to the City’s Treasury Department, where your utility account has been set up.  Once the project has been completed in your area, the Treasury Department will credit your account accordingly.

§         I own two or more residential properties.  I reside in one and rent out the other.  Will I be eligible for the $1,000 grant for both properties?

No.  If you’re eligible under the CDBG guidelines for the $1,000 grant for the sewer connection fee, it will only be for the primary residence in which you reside and are the property owner.  You will be responsible to pay the additional $1,000 connection fee for the other residence.

§         I own a duplex.  Do I have to pay for two sewer connections?

Yes.  The rate for single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes is the Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) x $1,000. Single-family detached residences (one ERC) will be charged a $1,000 connection fee. Duplexes (two ERCs) will be charged a $2,000 connection fee.  Triplexes (three ERCs) will be charged a $3,000 connection fee.  Multi-family properties with more than three units will be charged at the rate of 0.805 ERCs per unit connection fee = $805 per unit.

 §         Why am I paying these costs when the rest of the City already has sanitary sewers?

In the portions of the City where sanitary sewer service is already in place, the property owners paid for those systems by special assessment when the sanitary sewers were installed, or paid a connection fee and have also been paying the monthly sewer charge for as long as they have been connected to the sewers.  

 §         When can I hook-up to the new sanitary sewer system?

First, the new system within your community must be tested and approved by Broward County’s Development Management Division (formerly Department of Planning and Environmental Protection).  Next, the City’s Engineer must certify the system as complete.  At that point, you are provided with written notification that you have 90 days to pay the connection fee and hook-up to the new system. The City Code, Section 28-33 (a) requires that: 

“Every owner of a lot or parcel of property in the city which abuts upon any street or public way containing a sewer line, upon which lot or parcel of property a building shall have been constructed for residential, commercial, or industrial use, must cause such a building to be connected with the sanitary sewer system within ninety (90) days of the date that such service is available.” 

§         I just received the “Notification of Completion and Connection Fee Amount Due”.   I think my Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) rate and connection fee is inaccurate; how can I appeal?

A formal appeal process exists for property owners who request their ERC rate be reconsidered.  However, it is important to note that the 90-day deadline for payment and connection is NOT suspended during the appeal process.  The six-tier appeal process is outlined as follows:

1.       Any property owner requesting a further explanation of how the ERC for his/her property was determined shall direct such request in writing no later than 30-days following the mailing date of the “Official 90-Day Sewer Connection Notification” to the address listed below:

ATTN: ERC APPEAL

Paul Bohlander, City Program Manager

200 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 300

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

2.       The Program Management Team (PMT) will provide the basis for the calculation of the connection fee to the property owner within 10-days of receipt of the request. 

3.       If the property owner desires a reconsideration of that calculation, he/she must submit a letter within 30-days of the PMT’s letter, explaining the basis for the requested recalculation. 

4.       Within 10 days of receiving the letter, the PMT will schedule a meeting with the property owner and Program Manager to discuss the basis for the recalculation and determine a final ERC.

5.       Any property owner not satisfied with the final determination of the ERC shall notify the PMT in writing within 10 days of the meeting. 

6.       The PMT will forward all written communication, as well as details of the calculations, to the City Manager’s Office.  The City Manager, or his representative, shall make the final determination of the calculated ERC and of the connection fee amount due.

§         Can the abandoned septic tank remain in the yard?

        Yes, as long as it has been properly abandoned (i.e., contents pumped out/properly disposed of and holes punched in the bottom and filled with clean material).

§         Can I connect my home’s plumbing to the sewer system myself?

If you are interested in completing this work yourself, please call our office to receive a copy of the “Sanitary Sewer

Connection How-To Guide”. Installation of a sewer tie-in requires an understanding of plumbing principles and moderate to heavy physical activity (i.e., digging the trench and making the connection). Unless you are entirely confident that you can complete this work yourself, you should hire a professional licensed and insured plumber to complete the work.

§         How do I hire a plumbing contractor?

Things to remember when selecting a plumbing contractor to complete work on your private property include, but are not limited to the following:

1.       Do not accept the first quote or bid you receive. Request detailed cost estimates from at least three to five contractors.

2.       Request a listing of past and previous customers and copies of Broward County Professional License and Insurance Certificates.

3.       Before entering into a contract, contact previous customers to check past performance. Call the City’s Building Department at (954) 828-6590 to find out if a contractor is registered and has obtained current credentials (insurance & licenses).

4.       Retain copies of the contractor’s written estimate and the contract until all work is complete and paid for.

§         What happens if I do not hook up to the Sanitary Sewer within the 90-day connection period?

The City’s Community Inspections Bureau has the authority to issue appropriate notices, leading to presentation of the violation to the Special Magistrate (City Code 28-33).  At this level, fines may be set against the property owner on the order of up to $250 per day (City Code 28-32). 

§         Will you put a lien on my property if I do not pay the connection fee?

If you do not pay the connection fee within the 90-day connection period, the Treasury Department will bill and file a lien against the property in accordance with Florida Statute 159.17 and City Code 28-190(e). 

§         Will I be charged a connection fee if my property is vacant?

As an owner of vacant property, property under construction, or property where water service has not been provided for the past twelve months, you will not be charged a connection fee until such time when you have made an application to connect or reconnect to the water system.  At that time, adequate information (i.e., building plans, owner affidavit, etc.) must be submitted to the Program Management Team and the connection fee will be determined depending on the use of your property.

STEP 1: Pay Connection Fee

Notification – Property owners will be notified in the mail that they will have 90 days to pay and connect to the sewer system.  Once you receive this notice, you should begin this process.

Payment – Satisfy your connection fee payment using one of the following methods:

§         Submit check or money order with the remittance form included in the notice in person or by mail to: City of Fort Lauderdale Treasury Division, 100 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL  33301.

§         Obtain and complete a “Promissory Note and Lien on Property Form” if you are eligible to finance the connection fee.  This should be done in person at the address listed above.

§         If you have applied and are eligible for the Sewer Connection Assistance Grant, you will receive a grant award letter in the mail, and you do not have to follow any of the steps listed below.  At the appropriate time the City will contact you to arrange for a plumber to connect your building’s plumbing to the new sanitary sewer system.

Receipt – Retain your payment receipt or copy of executed “Promissory Note and Lien on Property Form” from the Treasury Division.  If payment was made via mail, the Treasury Division will mail you the receipt.

STEP 2: Obtain Required Permits

There are two permits required for all new sanitary sewer connections:

§         Permit approval from the Broward County Development Management Division (DMD) is required first.  This office is located at 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room A 240, Fort Lauderdale (phone: 954-357-6666).  There are two forms, Information for Approval, and Plan Substitution, that must be completed and presented to the DMD permit counter for approval.  It is estimated that this approval costs approximately $35. The legal description/subdivision name can be found on your property tax bill, if a survey is not available. The building department jurisdiction is "Fort Lauderdale" and the wastewater treatment plant is the “George T. Lohmeyer RWWTP”. 

§         A plumbing permit is required from the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division, located at 700 NW  19 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale (Phone: 954.828.5191). The plumbing permit can be obtained by a licensed contractor or by the property owner under an owner-builder arrangement. A typical plumbing permit for one sewer connection and one septic tank abandonment costs approximately $55 to $60. The sewer connection fee payment receipt must be presented at the time of submittal.

In addition to the permits listed above, other forms may be required including but not limited to:

§         An Owner Builder Permit Affidavit Form is required if a property owner applies for the plumbing permit and the property owner lives at that address.  The owner will be required to sign a notarized plumbing permit application. 

§         A Notice of Commencement is required if the total cost of installing the sewer line exceeds $2,500.  The Notice of Commencement can be obtained from the Broward County Records Division, located at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue, first floor, Fort Lauderdale.

When the required plumbing permit application is submitted to the City of Fort Lauderdale, the DMD approval must be attached, and a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement (if required) must be attached as well.  The original recorded Notice of Commencement is required to be on the job site when a plumbing inspection is performed. 

STEP 3: Connect to the Sewer System

Sewer Connection – You have the option of hiring a plumbing contractor to install the necessary plumbing from your home or business to the sewer lateral, or you may complete this work yourself. 

Tank Abandonment – After your building is connected to the sewer system, your septic tank must be properly abandoned.  The tanks’ contents must be pumped out and properly disposed.  Next, a hole must be knocked in the bottom of the septic tank and the tank must be filled with a clean material such as sand or gravel.

STEP 4: Final Inspection