Florida's natural water resources are vulnerable to human activity, which can generate excess phosphorus and nitrogen. These nutrients cause harmful algal blooms, which impair the water quality, kill fish, and damage local ecosystems. Pine Hills Road is in the Priority Focus Area of the Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs Basin Management Action Plan. The primary water bodies in this basin are considered impaired by excessive nutrients. Septic tanks have been identified as the source of 29% of the nitrogen load in the springs.
To address this, Orange County secured funding to replace septic tanks on private properties within the Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs Basin, improving groundwater quality and preserving natural resources. The Pine Hills Septic Tank Retrofit Project is funded by a combination of sources, including Florida Department of Environmental Protection grants, the American Rescue Plan Act, and an Orange County contribution.
These funds will enable parcels on Pine Hills Road between Alhambra Drive and Golf Club Parkway to be converted from septic tanks to a sewer system.
On this page you’ll find details on the construction status and how to get in touch for more information. Please note that the construction schedule could change due to supply chain shortages, weather conditions, other utility coordination, grant funding requirements, and unforeseen factors.
Construction Status
The project is still in progress. Final completion will be focused on progress in two areas:
- In the county right-of-way (ROW): This consists of installing gravity sewer mains and manholes, and connecting new infrastructure to existing facilities. This work is estimated to be completed in mid-October 2025.
- On private parcels: This consists of connecting each building to the sewer lateral at the ROW line, abandoning the existing septic tank in place, and completing on-site restoration such as pavement, sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping. This work is estimated to be completed at the end of December 2025.
- Final site restoration is estimated to be completed at the end of January 2026.
Downloadable Documents
Property owners must complete and notarize the Plumbing Permit and License Agreement. Submit completed forms by scanning and emailing to pinehills@septic2sewer.com or mail to Pine Hills Septic-to-Sewer, c/o Quest, 1540 International Parkway, Suite 200, Lake Mary, FL 32746.
Damages
Any damage to existing driveways, sidewalks, sod, or irrigation will be restored as part of the project by the Orange County Utilities contractor. Pre-construction videos will be taken to ensure properties are adequately restored.
If you have a broken irrigation pipe or sprinkler head; landscape/hardscape damage; or plumbing issues due to construction, please contact the Public Information Officer at Quest Marketing and Communications who will coordinate with the contractor to ensure timely repairs. Property owners do not need to arrange repairs by a separate irrigation or plumbing company. Such repairs cannot be reimbursed.