Citrus County Gets $16.4M for Homosassa Sewer Repairs

Citrus County will use $16.4 million in state disaster recovery funds to replace and repair aging sewer lines in Homosassa that regularly overflow during storms.

The Board of County Commissioners signed the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Commerce on May 12. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program funded the project, which targets sanitary sewer lines that fail during heavy rain.

Work begins in the Riverhaven area along Halls River Road. Crews will survey pipes, conduct smoke testing to find problem areas, then replace or line damaged sections and rehabilitate manholes. The project also includes upgrades to lift stations that pump wastewater through the system.

The county's sewer infrastructure allows stormwater and groundwater to seep into pipes through cracks and failing joints. During storms, the extra water overwhelms treatment capacity and forces raw sewage into yards, streets, and Halls River.

Water Resources Director Ken Cheek said the project will "rehabilitate and upgrade the county's most critical wastewater collection systems to mitigate issues from high water events, such as sewer overflows, back-ups, inflow and infiltration."

The Water Resources Department identified the Homosassa area as the highest priority based on pipe age, overflow frequency, and proximity to sensitive waterways. The $16.4 million represents one of the largest single infrastructure investments in the county's wastewater system.

Work will expand to other neighborhoods once crews complete initial repairs along Halls River Road. Residents should expect construction activity including surveying, excavation, and equipment installation at lift stations.