Domestic Wastewater Program

The Domestic Wastewater Program's Mission

To improve the effective conveyance and treatment of domestic wastewater through licensing of soundly engineered collection/transmission and treatment systems, creating a platform for addressing countywide domestic wastewater issues and fostering creative problem solving within and among domestic wastewater service areas.

About the Domestic Wastewater Program

The Broward County Domestic Wastewater Program is responsible for licensing all construction of community domestic wastewater collection/transmission system expansion as delegated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and wastewater treatment facilities as required under Broward County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27, Article V. These facilities, if properly constructed, sized, operated and maintained, prevent the release of untreated wastewater (raw sewage) into Broward County 's ground and surface waters.  

Program staff conducts regulatory activities in a responsive, service-oriented and flexible manner resulting in properly constructed, operated and maintained domestic wastewater systems which provide a high level of protection for the environment. Program staff also coordinates its activities with the Broward County Health Department, FDEP, local utilities, and others governmental entities.

What is Domestic Wastewater?

Every time you flush your toilet, wash your hands, turn on the dishwasher or do your laundry, you are creating domestic wastewater. 

Before 1950, all domestic wastewater was disposed of through septic systems or direct discharge of treated waste to area waterways. Today, while some Broward residents still use septic tanks, most households are connected through the sanitary sewers to a local utility's sewage treatment plant. Maintenance of the lateral pipe running from the home to sewer service and/or of a septic system is generally the homeowner's responsibility. 

Permitting Information

For sewer laterals (sewer lines smaller than 8 inches connecting individual buildings to larger sewer mains), contact your local wastewater utility by locating your sanitary sewer provider on the environmental atlas.

For septic systems, contact the Broward County Branch of the Florida Department of Health regarding any information related to their maintenance or construction permit.

Beyond the above exemptions, the Broward County Domestic Wastewater Program licenses all sewer facilities downstream of the laterals including sanitary sewer manholes, gravity sewer pipes, pump stations, force mains, and wastewater treatment plants in Broward County.

Local Utility Flows

New developments and redevelopment projects in Broward County must make a domestic wastewater capacity reservation at the local utility Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) prior to building new structures. 

The Environmental Permitting Division (E​PD) tracks existing flows to the WWTP as well as capacity reserved for new development. When a utility's total capacity reaches or exceeds 90%, development interests need to closely coordinate with the utility in their service area to determine if additional treatment or disposal capacity will be available in the future. Please contact your wastewater treatment facilities for available capacity.