DEP funds water quality improvements in Indian River Lagoon

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection is awarding $25 million for 14 projects directly affecting the Indian River Lagoon.

“By focusing on septic-to-sewer conversions, advanced wastewater treatment and stormwater upgrades, these projects are expected to reduce nutrient pollution by an estimated 214,000 pounds of total nitrogen and 23,000 pounds of total phosphorus each year,” DEP asserts.

“Through targeted projects and strong partnerships, we are making tangible progress in restoring the Indian River Lagoon,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “By improving water quality and habitats, we are protecting the environment while supporting the economic vitality of the communities that rely on the lagoon.”

Grants rolled out this week include the following.

Brevard County’s 100 Quick Connects to Sewer Project will receive $600.000, and its South Beaches Wastewater Treatment Facility Advanced Treatment Conversion Project gets $2,000,000 of funding.

Cocoa’s Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project Areas J and K will get $5,296,826.

New Smyrna Beach’s Aqua Golf Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project is in line for $4,310,000 of funding.

Palm Bay’s Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project – Zone A draws $3,721,422

Four Vero Beach initiatives are in line for funding, including the 27th Avenue Baffle Box Project ($250,000); the Buckinghammock Centralized Sewer Project – Basin 10 ($380,915); the 26th Street Centralized Sewer Project – Basin 12 ($691,329); and the Water Reclamation Facility Project ($3,662,762).

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Advanced Wastewater Treatment Construction Project will get $606,438 of state funding, while the Indian River County Department of Utility Services Floravon Shores Sewer Service Connection Project will receive $480,307.

That same department gets $1 million for its Sewer Service Connection Project.

The Indian River Lagoon Council Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program also gets $1,000,000, as does the Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Inc. Kilroy Monitoring Systems Project.

“Effective restoration is about timing and precision,” said Florida’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains. “By using data to guide where and when projects are implemented, we can maximize environmental gains and ensure the Indian River Lagoon recovers efficiently and sustainably.”