SARASOTA - Sarasota County is moving forward with plans to replace a sewer pipe that caused hundred of thousands of gallons of raw sewage to spill into retention ponds in The Hammocks community.

Residents there learned of that news Monday during an emergency Home Owner's Association meeting. Several county employees were on hand to answer questions and talk about the process of replacing the pipe that has caused not just one, but two spills in less than a year.

The smell of raw sewage coming from the ponds at the hammocks has diminished, but the thought of another sewage spill remains on the minds of residents.

The county's plan is to replace the sewer pipe that has ruptured twice, causing two spills in less than a year. “We feel this is really the best option at this point to replace it and be done with it,” says Sarasota County’s Dave Cash.

Officials told residents it could take up to eight months to install. “We initially thought slip-lining the pipe was the best option. After we discussed it further, and looked at the timeline, we felt that it was appropriate to replace the pipe with a permanent one,” says Cash.

The news is satisfying for homeowners like Cheri Luehr. “Would we like to see it done faster? Of course, but I think we will be alright. More than anything, we are happy they are listening to us and paying close attention.”

The design and construction of the new pipe will likely cost the county an estimated $1 million; money that officials say is already available.

County officials say they will be working as fast as they can to start the design and the bidding process, but it may not be until next spring when the pipe is installed.

The cause of the pipe ruptures is still an unanswered question, but county officials are leaning toward the idea that the material of the pipe had something to do with them.