ASCE Gainesville Branch November 2025 Lunch & Learn

Presentation Description- Florida House Bill 1379 expands septic to sewer conversions and enhanced nutrient reducing septic system requirements statewide, yet many questions remain about how these policies will be implemented. This presentation shares results from a recent project of UF/IFAS Extension and the UF/IFAS PIE Center examining its rollout. Through seven statewide focus groups with 34 stakeholders from state agencies, local governments, and industry, the project identified key barriers including funding, enforcement, timelines, and maintenance. The presentation will also highlight practical strategies for addressing these challenges, such as community engagement, communication approaches, and agency coordination to support implementation and protect Florida’s water resources.

Presenter's Bio- Yilin Zhuang is the Water Resources Regional Specialized Agent in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Central District. Her Extension areas of specialization focus on integrated water resources management, with an emphasis on on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems, private well water systems, and water conservation in agricultural and urban environments. She received her PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida. She is a LEED® accredited professional with a building design and construction specialty and a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) pilot.