January Water News
- CWC
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
Clean Water Coalition Honors
Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department
as Lagoon Champions
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County recently presented its Lagoon Champion award to the City of Vero Beach's Water and Sewer Department, recognizing the department's sustained leadership in implementing creative solutions to restore and protect the Indian River Lagoon.
The award was presented at the Vero Beach City Council meeting by CWC President Judy Orcutt, who cited the department's pioneering work on multiple fronts to reduce nutrient pollution threatening the lagoon ecosystem.
"Remember the massive fish kill of 2016 and the summer of green slime in 2018," Orcutt said. "These were public wake-up calls that the lagoon ecosystem was crashing due to nutrient pollution. Here in little ole Vero Beach, the Water and Sewer Department were already busy implementing creative solutions."
The department's achievements include the STEP sewer system, launched in 2015, which has provided an economical pathway for residents to transition from septic systems to sewer service. Approximately half of the city's septic systems have now been connected. A public-private partnership between the City and CWC has qualified 64 low-income households for connection assistance so far.
Construction is now underway on a state-of-the-art Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility that will produce low-nutrient effluent suitable for irrigation.
The department has also completed a pipeline to deliver treated stormwater from the main relief canal to John's Island for irrigation, conserving potable water resources.
Rob Bolton, Director of Water and Sewer, accepted the award on behalf of his team and praised the ongoing collaboration with CWC. "This public-private partnership has been great," Bolton said. "They've realized how hard grant programs are, but they didn't give up. They're still moving forward, still trying to get funds to help lower-income people connect to the STEP system."
The Lagoon Champions Program was established by the Clean Water Coalition to recognize individuals and organizations leading the fight to restore the Indian River Lagoon, a vital resource for the region's economy and quality of life.
Indian River County Secures Millions
in State Lagoon Protection Grants
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $25 million through its Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025-26, with Indian River County organizations receiving a significant share of the funding.
Local Awards:
Indian River County and Vero Beach projects secured $6.47 million in combined funding:
City of Vero Beach Water Reclamation Facility Project - $3,662,762
Indian River County Sewer Service Connection Project - $1,000,000
City of Vero Beach 26th Street Centralized Sewer Project (Basin 12) - $691,329
Indian River County Floravon Shores Sewer Service Connection - $480,307
City of Vero Beach Buckinghammock Centralized Sewer Project (Basin 10) - $380,915
City of Vero Beach 27th Avenue Baffle Box Project - $250,000
Two other local partners also received major awards:
Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA) Kilroy Monitoring Systems Project - $1,000,000
Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program - $1,000,000
This represents a strong showing that demonstrates Vero Beach and Indian River County's commitment to lagoon restoration through infrastructure improvements. The focus on septic-to-sewer conversions, stormwater, and advanced wastewater treatment reflects priorities that directly address nutrient pollution threatening the lagoon ecosystem.
Keep up the good work!
Vero Beach Marina Dry Storage Nearly Complete
A new dry boat storage facility at Vero Beach Marina is targeting March completion and has already attracted strong interest, with 144 applicants for 120 available spaces. Rates are set at $20 per foot per month with annual contracts required.
Importantly for lagoon health, the facility will have zero discharge into the Indian River Lagoon. All water from boat wash-down operations will filter through retention and percolation systems and a baffle box, preventing direct pollutant discharge into the already-stressed lagoon.
The zero-discharge design represents an important step forward in protecting water quality at marine facilities in the City.
Water Management District Partners
with Indian River County
on Coastal Wetland Restoration
The St. Johns River Water Management District and Indian River County have finalized a partnership to restore coastal wetlands throughout the county. The Memorandum of Understanding, approved by the County Commission on November 18, 2025 and the District's Governing Board on January 13, establishes a streamlined framework for launching restoration projects more efficiently.
Three projects are already in discussion: the 45th Street property (Osprey Estates), the Luther property on 73rd Street (Winter Beach 73rd), and a Jungle Trail location south of Captain Forster (Island Club Manor). The MOU establishes cooperative funding for restoration work, though not for land acquisition.
"By partnering with local governments like Indian River County, we can work more efficiently, reduce costs and accelerate meaningful restoration that improves water quality, strengthens coastal resilience and supports vibrant natural ecosystems," said District Executive Director Mike Register.
Restoration activities may include removing outdated drainage infrastructure, constructing water control structures, and establishing living shorelines. Advances in GPS-guided equipment now allow crews to shape land with greater accuracy, enabling wetlands to return to natural functions without ongoing maintenance.
"These projects will help restore the natural function of our wetlands, enhance habitat for wildlife and provide long-term benefits for our residents and coastal environment," said County Administrator John Titkanich.
Marine Mammals at Risk:
The Fight to Save IRL Dolphins and Manatees
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
The Emerson Center | 1590 27th Ave, Vero Beach
Join Dr. Jeff Eble, Florida Program Director at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, for an eye-opening look at efforts to protect Indian River Lagoon's dolphins and manatees after years of harmful algal blooms and seagrass loss. Discover how scientific research, rescue missions, and innovative habitat restoration are giving these iconic marine mammals a fighting chance.
Admission is FREE(suggested $10 donation)
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
The 2026 Emerson E-Series is sponsored by the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County.
For more information:TheEmersonCenter.com
Upcoming Events
2026 Harbor Branch
Ocean Science Lecture Series
JAN. 21
Florida's Sea Turtles and Our Changing Climate
Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D.
JAN. 28
Into the Blue: Exploring Ocean Submarine Springs Offshore of West Florida
Jordan Beckler, Ph.D.
FEB. 4
Discovery of Anti-Cancer Drugs from the Sea
Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
FEB. 11
The Science of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt
Brian Lapointe, Ph.D.
FEB. 18
Our Story: The Queen Conch Lab
Megan Davis, Ph.D.
FEB. 25
From Classroom to Coastline: Preparing the Next Wave of Ocean Leaders
Gabby McHenry, Ph.D.
MARCH 4
Plague Hunters: The Race to Find the Cause of the World's First Pandemic
Greg O'Corry-Crowe, Ph.D.
MARCH 11
Ocean Optics: Shedding Light on the Ocean Around Us
Wayne Slade, Ph.D.
MARCH 18
Cell Imaging to Revel the Hidden World of Plankton
Stephanie Schreiber and Olivia Ruchti - Graduate Student Lecture!
MARCH 25
Breaking Ground with Underwater Sound
Matt Ajemian, Ph.D.
All Day - February 19, 2026 - Symposium
The 2026 IRLS will explore how new tools and approaches are reshaping research, monitoring, and management in coastal systems.
Topics will include:
Applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and molecular techniques such as environmental DNA
Advances in sensor systems, remote sensing, and autonomous platforms
Innovative uses of established scientific methods to enhance data analysis, visualization, and decision-making
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