City Manager's Annual Report Annual Report 2018 | A Year In Review | Page 36

STEWARDSHIP
PSL Partners with Harbor Branch
for In-Depth Water Quality Study
The City of Port St. Lucie and Florida Atlantic University’s
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute are working
together to continue a large-scale study to help find local
solutions to aid the health of the St. Lucie River.
The City Council has unanimously approved a contract
with FAU that allows scientists at Harbor Branch to
lead the second phase of the City’s microbial source
tracking study. Harbor Branch will work with the City for
one year to continue these important investigations into
“the sources contributing to the bacterial and nutrient
impairment of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.”
The St. Lucie River and Estuary are critical resources for
Florida’s Treasure Coast and extremely important to its
economic and environmental well-being. The City began
this microbial tracking study in June 2016, after the
Department of Health issued multiple health advisories
about the levels of microbial bacteria in the North Fork
of the St. Lucie River. Harbor Branch scientists are now
focusing on a more detailed study of sites that showed
higher levels of bacteria and other pollution. It also will
study and monitor the interactions of septic systems and
surface water and will help distinguish between nutrient
sources, such as wastewater, stormwater runoff and
fertilizers.
New Position Helps Reduce F.O.G.
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the City’s vast wastewater system, which includes over 1,000 miles of sewer
pipe, Utility Systems has implemented an official FOG (fats, oils, and grease) Program. The program will reduce the
amount of grease that reaches our Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Excessive amounts of grease prevent wastewater from flowing through the pipes, as it builds up over time and
collects other flushed debris. The clogs create backups and damaged infrastructure, and ultimately, wastewater
cannot be properly processed and treated, and reuse cannot be produced.
There are approximately 500 unique interceptors in the City including grease interceptors, used by restaurants;
hair interceptors, used by beauty salons and barber shops; and oil and water separators, used by automotive
repair centers. The Pretreatment Coordinator visits commercial businesses to inspect their interceptors, provide
educational information, and assist if necessary, with coming into compliance per City ordinances.
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CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT