Because many septic system in the North River Shores area stop working during periods of heavy rains and also to help improve the water quality of the St. Lucie River more than 400 property owners are hooking up to the Martin County Utilities sewer system. The Martin County commission voted unanimously on Tuesday, February, 9, 2010 to approve a special assessment of $6,405 for the 434 property owners who will be connected to the system. A state grant is helping to cover some of the cost by providing $3 million of the $6 million needed. Homeowner will be able to pay in a lump sum or in installments of $688 a year for 15 years, the typical sewer bill is expected to be $38.93 per month.

Construction of the sewer lines started on February 15, 2010 and should be completed sometime in November of 2010.

The project will help to improve the water quality of the St. Lucie River by eliminating the leaching of nutrients from the homeowners septic systems. A 2006 study by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute indicated there were high concentrations of bacteria and nutrients directly associated with septic tanks near the river. The Florida DEP also did a study and found that the average septic system in the neighborhood discharges about 3.5 pounds of nitrogen and nearly 1 pound of phosphorous into the river each month.