Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. In most cases, the NPDES permit program is administered by authorized states. Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation's water quality.

Check out Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the website at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/MS4_1.htm for additional information.

UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

Please join the UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program for a free webinar on Organic Pesticide Safety with Brett Bultemeier from the UF Pesticide Information Office on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 11am EST.  This webinar is designed for homeowners and non-professionals, but we encourage everyone to participate.  Please preregister for this webinar at the following link: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XOwswTX9QFOwvbEwX0Y8Yw#/registration.

Check out the Homeowner Webinar Series schedule and archive of previously recorded webinars at https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/webinars/for-homeowners/. or for the remaining months of the webinar series check out https://www.cityofedgewater.org/es/page/stormwater-management.

Edgewater's Efforts to Improve the Water Quality of the Indian River Lagoon

The City of Edgewater is taking action to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon, which is home to various marine life and a popular spot for fishing and boating, has been facing water quality issues in recent years. The City of Edgewater recognizes the importance of preserving the lagoon's ecosystem and is taking steps to do its part.

The City recognizes that a significant cause of water quality issues may be linked to sewage discharge. To this end, Edgewater is working to reduce discharge by systematically upgrading and repairing aging infrastructure such as sewer lift stations and conveyance pipes. To further the effort, the City operates an advanced domestic wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater treatment process includes influent screening, grit removal, biological nutrient removal using the Bardenpho process, chemical feed facilities, secondary clarification, tertiary filtration, and high-level disinfection.

The City employs two methods for discharging treated wastewater: the reclaimed water system and, as a last resort, disposing of it into the Indian River. The reclaimed water system is permitted to discharge up to 3.75 million gallons per day to supply the irrigation needs of lawns and landscaped areas within the City. This is made possible by the extensive reclaimed water network throughout the City.  Water that is not used for irrigation is dechlorinated, aerated, and piped to the Indian River. 

The City of Edgewater also promotes public awareness of the importance of protecting the lagoon's water quality. They encourage residents and visitors to take simple steps to reduce pollution, such as properly disposing of waste, reducing fertilizer use, and cleaning up pet waste.

In conclusion, the City of Edgewater believes that by upgrading infrastructure, using advanced treatment technologies, and promoting public awareness, the City is taking a proactive approach to protecting the lagoon's ecosystem. These efforts will not only benefit marine life but also provide a safer and healthier environment for residents and visitors.

You may read the full 2023 Indian River Lagoon Progress Report by clicking on the link at the bottom in the Supporting Documents.

Stormwater Runoff

What is Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain flows over the ground. The flowing water carries salt, sand, soil, pesticides, fertilizers, leaves, grass clippings, oil, litter and many other pollutants into nearby waterways. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent Stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

We CAN All Help: Each of us contributes to Stormwater pollution and each of us can help stop it.

Here are ways you can help:

• Use fertilizers sparingly.
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks instead of using a hose.
• Never dump anything into drainage swales, retention ponds, canals, etc.
• Divert downspouts away from paved surfaces.
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard.
• Compost yard waste.
• Pickup pet waste.
• Properly using, storing and disposing of chemicals.
• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
• Drivers should check their cars for leaks and recycle their motor oil and antifreeze.

The Goals of Stormwater Programs are to:

• Slow down water decreasing its ability to cause erosion and carry pollutants.
• Reduce the amount of runoff by encouraging water to soak into the ground.
• Prevent pollution by reducing the use of toxic chemicals controlling erosion and by covering outdoor storage piles.
• Remove pollutants by routing runoff through settling ponds, grass filter strips or other treatment devices.

Polluted Stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people. The amount of pollution that you stop may seem small, but together it all adds up to cleaner water for everyone to enjoy.

For more information check EPA’s website out http://www.epa.gov/

What is the City's stormwater drainage system?

Stormwater is the water from rain, irrigation waters which flows over the ground or pavement without soaking into the ground. The stormwater drainage system includes the roadside swales, ditches, retention ponds, gutters, inlets, catch basins, and underground pipes that collect stormwater and carry it away from our streets, parking lots, and yards. Our waterways include the lakes, ponds, and the Indian River Lagoon. Stormwater can flow directly into these waters, so they are part of the stormwater drainage system, too.

DID YOU KNOW? Anything that is washed into the stormwater drainage system ends up in our waterways. That's because, unlike the wastewater from our kitchen and bathrooms, stormwater is not treated it flows directly into our waterways.

The Purpose and Function of the Swales and Canals in Florida Shores

• Florida Shores was developed before stormwater treatment rules were enforced in the State.
• The open water canals throughout Florida Shores were originally constructed as mosquito control ditches, and then houses were built around the canals all connected by a grid of dirt roads.
• In the 1990’s, two big things happened: strict stormwater rules went into place Statewide, and all of the north-south roads in Florida Shores were paved.
• In order to comply with the new stormwater rules, an extensive network of dry-bottom retention ponds and swales were constructed.
• These dry ponds were placed into most of the east-west roads in Florida Shores with the roadside swales connecting the houses to the ponds.
• The system was engineered to hold  a portion of  rainfall within the swales and ponds and to discharge anything over that amount into the canals and out to the Indian River.
• The “first flush” of rainfall contains most of the pollution that gathers on the ground, such as gas and oil, pet waste, and other contaminants accumulated on roadways, driveways and other impervious surfaces.
• By holding the first amount of runoff in the swales and ponds and allowing the natural action of percolation to draw that water down into the soil, the majority of contaminants are treated within the soil and not discharged into the Indian River. 
• The action of percolation can take up to three (3) days to complete.
• When we receive rainfall day after day, it may appear as though water is standing in the swales and not draining, meanwhile percolation is actually happening at the bottom of the swale/pond system.
• After a week without any rainfall, if you still have water standing in swales near your house, then it is time to call the City’s Environmental Services Department to help fix the problem. In addition, if you see an obvious blockage, please call also.

Remember, the roadside swales are a critical part of the percolation area. They are an extension of the end-of-block retention ponds. In general, the swales are there to hold the first portion of rainfall and to move the rest. If you see 3 or 4 inches of water in the swales and it rained within the last day or two, the swales are doing their job.

Click here for more stormwater information from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Stormwater systems offer water quality and storage benefits:   Message from St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. Click the link to read her message.  https://www.sjrwmd.com/streamlines/stormwater-systems-offer-water-qualit...