Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida November 2018 | Page 33

Indian River Lagoon Restoration Project Cocoa Village Negates Lagoon Nutrient Pollution Client / Owner City of Cocoa, FL Distributer Ferguson Waterworks Contractor DP Development of the Treasure Coast LLC Engineer QLH Associates Concrete Lindsay Precast Concrete Project Scope • NSBB™ Model 10 - 16 with integrated Bold & Gold Upflow Filter Project Dates Fall 2016 – March 2018 NSBB™ Install March 13th – 14th, 2018 Overview of the Church St Nutrient Separating Baffle Box® (NSBB™) installation site, Cocoa, FL Overview The US National Estuary Program (NEP) identifies estuaries of national significance that are threatened by the risk of pollution, developmental disruption and overuse. The 156 mile Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is one of 28 estuaries identified by the NEP currently impacted by said issues. Plagued by heavy nutrient pollution and land disruption issues, the lagoon has become overwhelmed by algae blooms, brown tides, fish kills, muck propagation and habitat loss. The decline of the lagoon can be largely attributed to nonpoint source pollution transported via stormwater runoff causing eutrophication. Trash and fertilizer washouts, septic tank leakage, hydrocarbon infiltration and pet waste buildup are among the top factors contributing to the decline of native species within this fragile ecosystem. Amidst the lagoon’s escalating decline, the counties of Brevard, Volusia, St Lucie, Martin and the Indian River County Coalition along with the St John’s River and South Florida Water Management Districts and Florida DEP, formed the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Council to implement projects strategically targeted toward reducing total nitrogen and phosphorous loads by a combined 900,000lbs by 2028. One specific nutrient reduction project involved installing a Nutrient Separating Baffle Box® with integrated biosorption media upflow filter, at Church St in Cocoa, FL. This system will play a pivotal role in eliminating large portions of nonpoint source pollution, before reaching the Indian River, by leveraging the capabilities of the NSBB™ and filtration media to accelerate its revitalization, ensuring its future health and prosperity. View of the Indian River at the Church Street outfall in Cocoa Village. The river water has become discolored from brown tides and algae due to nutrient heavy stormwater runoff. Top view of model 10-16 NSBB™ within Church St. NOVEMBER 2018 • DITCHMEN Contact Us Today: 321.637.7552 | www.suntreetech.com | [email protected] 31