Shores Estates Septic To Sewer Conversion
Project Information
This project will convert the Shores Estates neighborhood from septic systems to a centralized sewer system, connecting homes to the City of North Miami’s wastewater infrastructure. The conversion to sewer service will reduce environmental pollution, address residents’ sewer backup issues, and improve property values by eliminating reliance on aging septic systems. Miami Shores Village will continue to schedule community meetings to provide updates and answer additional resident questions.
For project updates and inquiries, contact the Miami Shores Village Public Works Department at 305.795.2210.
| petersd@msvfl.gov Delroy Peters Director of Public Works | loorj@msvfl.gov Jorge Loor Project Manager |
Construction Updates
September 2026
Final Testing & Restoration
We have successfully completed testing of the pump station this past week, which means we are entering the final stages of commissioning the system.
We also have coordinated with the engineer and contractor on the final restoration plan. While this continues to be first and foremost a septic-to-sewer conversion project, we have also tried to use the restoration portion of the work to address some of the drainage issues along NE 105th St through limited improvements within the swale areas. These improvements are not intended to solve the drainage issues experienced in the neighborhood, but the expectation is that they will help redirect some stormwater into the swales and reduce some of the accumulation on the roadway.
This work will take place over the next couple of weeks. The last major portion of the project will then be milling and resurfacing the streets from edge of pavement to edge of pavement.
Home Connections
PW and the Grants Department are still working through the structure of the residential connection program. The Village is evaluating a hybrid approach that could allow residents either to participate in a Village-managed connection program or to complete the work independently through their own licensed professionals.
The Village has funding available to help offset connection and septic abandonment costs, but how those funds are ultimately deployed is still being evaluated with FDEP and Village officials. The proposed program and use of those funds will also need to be presented to and approved by the Village Council.
I am attaching the City of North Miami's existing Septic Tank Abandonment Procedure/Sewer Connection information as a reference. Since North Miami will ultimately operate and manage the sewer system, their process provides a general idea of what is involved. As you will see, connecting a home involves coordination with several agencies for septic abandonment, utility approvals, permitting and inspections.
That said, the North Miami document is not the final procedure for Shores Estates, particularly because the applicable building and plumbing permits will need to go through Miami Shores. However, understanding the number of steps involved is also helpful as the Village, Council and residents consider the best way to structure the program and use the available funding. We will provide a Miami Shores-specific process once those details have been worked through and approved.
For now, residents do not need to take any action other than wait for further direction from the Village. If you already know that you would prefer to manage the connection process independently rather than participate in a Village-managed program, please let me know. That feedback will also help us understand resident preferences as we develop the program.
As a reminder, the system is not yet open for residential connections, and residents should not begin the connection or septic abandonment process until the Village provides formal notice.
July 2026
Construction Progress
The gravity sewer system has now been successfully tested, and construction of the pump station is nearing completion. With the major underground work now behind us, the contractor is shifting their focus to restoration.
Over the week or two, you will begin seeing milling and resurfacing operations moving street by street, with each roadway being resurfaced from edge of pavement to edge of pavement. As always, please be mindful of construction workers and equipment as this work progresses.
Regarding the swale areas, many of you have received a call or email from me about the possibility of restoring paved swales back to grass. The goal is to improve the drainage capacity of Shores Estates, as paved swales reduce storage and conveyance within an already constrained drainage system.
Because these conversations are still ongoing with both residents and Village officials, we did not want to delay roadway restoration while a broader discussion continues. As such, the contractor will proceed with resurfacing the streets first, and we will continue evaluating how best to address the swale areas afterward. While every property is unique, the Village also cannot, in good conscience, simply replace asphalt within Village-owned swales where doing so would continue to adversely impact several residents/neighbors, reduce drainage capacity and contribute to already-poor flooding conditions throughout the neighborhood.
Sewer Connections
As mentioned in previous updates, residents will have one year to connect to the new sewer system after the system has been fully completed and placed into service. The system is not yet ready for connections. We will notify all residents when the connection period officially begins.
We understand that many residents are eager, or anxious, to begin planning for their connection. As previously discussed, the Village has secured funding to help offset a portion of the connection costs. Because these funds originate from the State, the method by which they are distributed must be coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and approved by the Village Council. The current intent is for the Village to manage the connection program on behalf of participating residents.
That said, we also recognize that some homeowners may prefer to hire their own contractor and complete the work independently rather than participate in the Village-managed program. We will be providing an informational document and survey outlining the options for funding connections as well as determining the number of people who prefer particular funding alternatives. Understanding how many residents intend to participate will help us evaluate the most effective and equitable way to structure and distribute the available funding.
February 2026
Construction Progress
The contractor has completed installation of the sewer main and laterals on NE 10th Pl and NE 10th Ct. Final restoration activities will continue as crews shift operations to NE 11th Ave and NE 11th Ct. As mentioned in the previous update, the contractor has decided to advance work using two crews on separate streets in order to maintain schedule. As such, both NE 11th Ct and NE 11th Ave access points will be opened during construction hours.
- The Contractor is expected to complete trenching and begin restoring the asphalt on the streets to near-final condition toward the end of March, barring any significant delays. In the coming weeks, you will also see activity at two additional locations that are critical to bringing the system online:
Construction of the pump station
Installation of the force main connection from the pump station tying into the City of North Miami system across Biscayne Blvd. - Public Works is hopeful the project will be completed by late Spring, including all testing and inspections.
Lateral Locations & Survey Markings
Residents have contacted Public Works regarding survey stakes that do not appear to match previously requested locations. Surveyors are required to stake locations based on the approved construction plans, which were finalized several years ago. Any updated requests submitted after plan approval are verified in the field by our inspector and coordinated with the contractor prior to installation.
Before a lateral is installed, the inspector will verify the service location form on file and confirm the location with the homeowner. If you see crews (or me) on your street and have a concern, please let them (or me) know as adjustments can be made prior to installation of the main line. Once the main line is constructed in the center of the roadway in front of your home, the lateral alignment will no longer be able to be moved.
Restoration & Property Impacts
I have also been receiving questions regarding construction-related impacts to driveways and landscaping. The contractor is responsible for repairing damage that is clearly attributable to construction activities and restoring disturbed areas to equal or better condition. Landscaping located within the Village right-of-way may require permanent removal.
Impacts on private property have been rare and are being addressed on a case-by-case basis. The best way to document concerns is to email me directly so we can review and address them promptly.
As always, thanks for your continued patience as construction advances through the neighborhood. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
December 2026
As many of you have seen, the crew has been installing the sewer laterals along NE 105th St from west to east. As of today, a second crew has been added and is working east to west from NE 11th Ct. With both crews active, the goal is to complete all lateral installations along NE 105th St before the holiday pause.
Holiday Work Pause
- The contractor will stop work starting 12/22 and will remain paused through the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, resuming operations on Monday, 1/5. Before they leave for the break, they will place temporary asphalt along the entire length of NE 105th St so the roadway is safe and drivable during this two-week period.
Traffic & Access
- For the past several weeks, the only open barricade was at NE 10th Ct. With the crews now advancing eastward past NE 10th Pl, all traffic for NE 10th Ct will return to the standard NE 10th Pl as the access point.
Thru-traffic east of NE 10th Pl will be closed again, and the barricades at NE 11th Ct and NE 11th Ave will be reopened for neighborhood circulation until the lateral installations are completed.
We understand the continued changes in access can be disruptive, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as the crews work through these tight streets.
Upcoming Work
- After the laterals are finished, the next phase is the construction of the main trunk line from NE 105th St up NE 11th Ct, which will begin early in the new year.
Thanks as always for your patience and cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Wishing you all a very happy and restful holiday season.
November 2025
Thank you again for your continued patience and collaboration as construction continues through your neighborhood. We know the impacts have been significant, especially for those near the wall at NE 105th Street and on NE 11th Ct, and we appreciate your understanding as we work through this phase. Lets share some updates with you.
Construction Updates
Progress and Coordination
- The Contractor continues working westward along NE 105th Street, moving steadily past the deepest/slowest section near the wall where trenches have reached over 20 feet. As crews move toward shallower areas and hopefully with fairer weather, work is expected to progress at a faster pace.
- Construction remains a few weeks behind schedule due to unforeseen utility conflicts, an accidental pipe break that has since been repaired, and multiple weather-related delays. The Village continues to coordinate closely with the Contractor to maintain quality while making up lost time.
Our team has been in ongoing communication with residents along the active work areas to confirm lateral connection locations. In every case, we’ve been able to honor resident preferences, and we appreciate your responsiveness.
Temporary Access Openings
- The barricade at the end of NE 11th Avenue has been temporarily opened to allow local traffic for residents on that street, similar to the arrangement previously established at NE 11th Court.
- These openings are monitored and remain available only during construction hours . Barricades are closed each evening for safety and will be restored to their original condition once construction is complete.
Deliveries and Mail Service - We’ve received reports of missed deliveries and delayed mail, and we understand the inconvenience this causes. The Village is coordinating with USPS as well as UPS, FedEx, Amazon and other delivery service drivers to keep service as consistent as possible.
- Some drivers and visitors have experienced confusion navigating around the work zone. We’re working with the Contractor to install additional signage and wayfinding beyond the immediate construction area to improve navigation. Your help in guiding delivery drivers and guests through the temporary routes is greatly appreciated.
Resident Cost Assistance
- The Village has secured public funding to help offset the cost of residents’ connections from their homes to the new sewer system. Because these funds are public, the Village will need to procure and manage a single contractor to perform all connection work throughout the neighborhood under one coordinated contract.
- This program will be offered to residents on an “opt-out” basis, meaning all eligible homes will be included unless a homeowner formally declines participation.
More details will be shared in the coming months as we finalize the procurement and coordination process to ensure the funds are used equitably and efficiently for everyone in Shores Estates.
Sewer Connection Location
As part of the Shores Estates Septic-to-Sewer Project, residents had the opportunity to submit their preferred location for their sewer connection. This information helps ensure a smoother transition into the new system. If you submitted a preference, you can review the finalized locations in the map below. If no preference was provided, the contractor will determine the placement based on site conditions. Please note that once installed, lateral connections cannot be moved. You still have the opportunity to state or amend your preferred location for connection by submitting the Resident Sewer Location Handout to the Public Works Department.
How will construction affect traffic and neighborhood access?
The hedges and barricade at the end of NE 11th Court will be opened during construction hours to allow access for residents, garbage collection vehicles and emergency vehicles. Before and after construction each day, these access points will be closed with barricades.
The alleys on streets where work is being performed will also remain open only during construction hours and will be closed outside of those times. The Village requests residents avoid areas around construction equipment.
Given that the lift station and staging area are on the Biscayne side of the wall at the end of NE 105th St, a 20-foot section of the wall will be removed only for construction access for the project duration. The area will be off limits and fenced off to Shores Estates residents and others for the safety and security of the residents and construction crew and equipment.
All access points will be returned to pre-construction conditions or better.
Will my driveway be impacted?
Some driveways may be temporarily impacted, but any disturbances will be restored to their original or better condition. Affected homeowners will be notified in advance.
How will sewer pipes be installed?
Sewer mains will be installed in the middle of the road. Lateral connections to homes will be installed based on homeowner preference where communicated. If no preference has been provided, the contractor will install laterals in a location they determine appropriate. Once installed, these lateral connections cannot be moved.
Will this project impact flooding in the neighborhood?
No, this project is a sanitary sewer project, not a stormwater project. It is designed to address wastewater disposal and will not alter or improve the neighborhood's overall flooding conditions. While this project does not address general neighborhood flooding issues, it will mitigate sewer backups that some residents experience during flood events.
Will construction cause flooding or runoff issues?
No, construction activities will not worsen flooding in the area. The contractor will implement best management practices and regular site clean-up to manage water flow and prevent disruptions.
What are the working hours for construction?
Per contract, work will be performed from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any modifications to this schedule will need Public Works approval and be communicated in advance.
How long will construction last?
The project is scheduled to last 270 days (approximately 9 months) from the beginning of construction through commission of the system.
How will the high-water table affect construction?
The high-water table in the area means the contractor will experience water intrusion in the trenches they dig. Instead of dewatering, the contractor will use divers to install pipes underwater to maintain construction efficiency. This process has been planned to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure stable installation of sewer infrastructure.
How and when do residents connect to the sewer?
Once the mainline sewer system is completed and tested, homeowners will be responsible for hiring a licensed professional to connect their property to the new sewer system. Connection timelines will be provided by the City of North Miami’s Sewer Department.
What is the process for properly abandoning my septic tank?
The Village doesn’t prescribe a specific method for abandoning septic tanks. Homeowners are responsible for coordinating the work with a licensed contractor. While the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides statewide oversight, all permitting, inspections and compliance requirements are handled by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). Residents will coordinate directly with the Miami-Dade County DOH office to properly abandon their septic systems.
For more information, contact:
Septic Tank Office – Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade
11805 SW 26 St., Miami, FL 33175
786-654-6620 | Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
HRSDOH@FLhealth.gov
How much will this project cost residents?
The costs to abandon a property’s septic system and connect to the new system vary based on individual property conditions, such as distance to the sewer main and plumbing modifications needed for connection. The cost of the system itself will be paid by residents over time through a unified method of assessment that is being studied and will be presented to the residents at a later date.
Are there financial assistance programs?
The Village is exploring grants, subsidies, and financing options. More information will be provided as funding opportunities are identified.
Are there properties with multiple septic systems?
Yes, some homes may have two septic systems.
How will trash collection be handled?
Trash will be collected as usual before construction starts each day. Residents are reminded to place garbage out the night before pickup instead of waiting until the morning and avoid placing any waste in the alleys.
Will there be additional community meetings?
Yes, Miami Shores Village will schedule additional meetings to provide updates and answer resident questions.