Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 19, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Tanya Wilson, AICP, Director, Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department
CONTACT: Renée H. Parker, LEP, Manager, Environmental Protection Officer
PHONE: (407) 836-1420
DIVISION: Environmental Protection Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard Grant Agreement Agreement Number: QG037 in the amount of $600,000 for the Septic Upgrade Incentive Program. All Districts. (Environmental Protection Division)
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PROJECT: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard Grant Agreement Number QC037 Septic Upgrade Incentive Program.
PURPOSE:
Orange County has an existing Septic Upgrade Incentive Program (SUIP) within the Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs Priority Focus Area (PFA). This Agreement provides a SUIP for property owners, certified installers, or licensed plumbers.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is providing funding assistance to Orange County in the form of a Water Quality Improvement (WQI) Grant. The WQI Grant Agreement will reimburse Orange County $600,000 for County reimbursements of up to $15,000 to the property owner, certified installer, or licensed plumber following the installation and permitting of enhanced systems that achieve a minimum of 65% nitrogen reduction. Funding under this agreement will support the reimbursement of approximately 40 upgraded systems within unincorporated Orange County. The WQI funding will assist Orange County in water quality improvement efforts by reducing nitrogen pollution loads in the associated Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP), Alternative Restoration Plan (ARP), and Pollution Reduction Plan (PRP) areas.
Per Attachment 3, Grant Work Plan, the SUIP will focus on properties located within BMAP areas and Waters Not Attaining Standards associated with the Wekiva River, Rock Springs Run, Little Wekiva Canal, Upper Ocklawaha, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Jesup, Long Branch, and Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs excluding the PFA. Properties located within Orange County's ARPs and PRPs are also eligible. Costs for upgrades from conventional septic systems to enhanced systems that meet at least 65% reduction of nitrogen can be reimbursed up to $15,000.
The Agreement QG037 project timeline dates are as follows:
• Septic Upgrade Incentives, Task 1 End Date 5/31/2028
• Agreement Expiration Date: 11/30/2028
This Agreement was reviewed by the County Attorney’s Office and approved as to form.
BUDGET: N/A