October Water News
Introducing Our Newest Lagoon Champions
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County is proud to recognize our newest Lagoon Champions: Ashley Lingwood, Olivia Roddenberry, and Alexis Peralta.
The Lagoon Champion award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, dedication, and initiative in protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon and the natural resources that surround it.
These three remarkable women, all working for Indian River County, have turned environmental education and outreach into powerful tools for community engagement and conservation. Through their work, scientific information and conservation practices move beyond government offices and into our schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces.
Indian River County Conservation Lands Division
Empowering the next generation is at the heart of Ashley Lingwood’s (above) community work. Ashley helps bridge the gap between county conservation efforts and local schools by creating hands-on, outdoor learning opportunities for students.
Ashley’s work became especially visible through the transformation of the Jones Pier Conservation Area. Rather than simply viewing the site as a traditional park, she engaged young people as active field researchers. Students monitoring the area documented the return of juvenile gamefish, providing valuable evidence that the restored salt marshes are functioning as important nursery habitat.
Environmental Education Coordinator, Conservation Lands Division
Olivia Roddenberry (above) connects community members with the terrestrial ecosystems that surround them every day. Her approach helps residents understand how closely our daily lives are connected to the health of our natural landscapes.
Olivia is especially skilled at making complex land-management concepts understandable and engaging. She leads educational walks through places such as the North Sebastian Conservation Area, where she teaches residents about the ecological importance of prescribed burns, forest management, and healthy natural systems.
Her efforts turn conservation lands into outdoor classrooms while building understanding and trust between residents and the people responsible for managing these important natural areas.
Stormwater Education and Fertilizer Enforcement Officer, Natural Resources Department
Alexis Peralta (above) sees public infrastructure as an opportunity to help residents better understand how their everyday choices affect water quality.
Her work focuses on changing community habits and helping residents understand the connection between stormwater, fertilizer use, and the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Her efforts have also earned recognition, including the Golden Impact Award for Stormwater Education.
Alexis organizes creative outreach projects such as the Stormdrain Awareness Art Project, which uses art to remind residents that water flowing into storm drains eventually makes its way into our waterways.
She also leads public tours of the county’s innovative stormwater treatment systems, including Egret Marsh Stormwater Park and Moorhen Marsh. During these tours, she explains how natural and engineered systems can remove excess nutrients from stormwater and demonstrates why following local fertilizer ordinances matters.
Celebrating Leadership in Environmental Outreach
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County is honored to recognize Ashley Lingwood, Olivia Roddenberry, and Alexis Peralta as Lagoon Champions.
Thank you for the work you do every day to help our community better understand, appreciate, and protect our shared environment.
Please Vote Responsibly
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County urges federal, state, and local government action to restore and conserve all water resources of Indian River County.
Investment by all levels of government is critically needed to implement the projects already identified to restore the County’s water resources. Election of candidates - that proactively support restoration of the Lagoon and other County water resources – is in the public interest and critical to our quality of life.
As identified by the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections FL:
Early Voting is open October 19th to October 31st from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the following locations:
Sebastian City Hall Council Chambers at 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
Indian River County Main Library at 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Indian River County Supervisor of Election Office at 4375 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Intergenerational Recreation Center (Room 112) at 1590 9th Street SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962
November 3rd is the last day to vote in General Election at the polls. To determine your polling location, check your voter information card, call the Elections Office, or select Find My Polling Place.
Make your voice be heard. VOTE
Clean Water Coalition of IRC Opposes Amendment 3
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County opposes Constitutional Amendment 3 and urges voters to vote NO this November.
Although presented as tax relief, Amendment 3 raises serious concerns about the future funding of essential local services and environmental protection. Without a sustainable replacement revenue source, it could undermine the public lands, waterways, wildlife habitats, and community partnerships that are essential to our quality of life and conservation efforts.
Threats to Conservation and Environmental Protection
Amendment 3 could reduce funding available to county and water management district staff responsible for reviewing development proposals before projects break ground. Fewer planners and environmental specialists could mean less thorough reviews and increased risks to vulnerable conservation areas.
The St. Johns River Water Management District does far more than issue permits. It supports restoration projects across Central and East Florida, monitors water quality, and conducts ecological research to determine whether restoration efforts are working. Reduced funding could mean fewer restoration projects, less water quality monitoring, and weaker scientific evidence to guide conservation decisions and advocacy. These losses could make it more difficult to identify and address the conditions that contribute to harmful algal blooms.
How Amendment 3 Could Affect Clean Water Coalition of IRC
Our work depends on strong partnerships with local government and public agencies. Amendment 3 threatens the funding and infrastructure needed to advance septic-to-sewer conversions, stormwater improvement projects, water quality initiatives, and environmental advocacy.
Indian River County could face significant budget reductions, potentially shifting more of the property tax burden to renters and non-homestead property owners, including owners of second homes and small businesses. At the same time, local government could have fewer resources to review development, monitor water quality, maintain public infrastructure, and protect the community's quality of life.
How Amendment 3 Could Affect You
Florida already faces mounting pressures from population growth, development, and environmental challenges. This is not the time to weaken our ability to protect our communities and natural resources.
Potential consequences of reduced local revenue include:
Slower permitting and inspections for stormwater and infrastructure projects.
Reduced hours or services at parks and libraries.
Delayed road repairs and stormwater improvements.
Reduced staffing for emergency response, code enforcement, and environmental review.
Greater financial pressure on renters, small businesses, and non-homestead property owners.
Anyone who values the Indian River Lagoon, clean waterways, healthy wildlife habitats, public parks, and outdoor recreation could feel the effects over time.
Protect Our Water. Protect Our Community.
Conservation, clean water, disaster preparedness, and responsible growth require reliable, sustainable funding. Amendment 3 proposes a change without adequately identifying how it would fund essential local services and environmental protections.
The Clean Water Coalition of IRC urges Indian River County voters to vote NO on Amendment 3 this November. Protecting our waterways and natural resources is an investment in our health, economy, environment, and future generations.
City Council Candidates Answer Our Questions on Water, Growth, and the Budget
Water quality, utility expansion, and the November property tax amendment are on the table in both Vero Beach and Sebastian this fall. We sent every city council candidate the same set of questions and asked them to put their thinking on the record.
The questions covered the ground we hear about most from members. What happens to water utilities, Lagoon monitoring, and water quality projects if the Property Tax Amendment passes and city revenue drops? How do you keep restoration work moving when so much of it depends on state and federal grants that are never guaranteed? What is their read on the Lagoon's current condition, including the seagrass rebound the water management district reported last year? And what does responsible utility planning look like going forward, including getting legacy septic systems onto central sewer? Sebastian candidates also got questions on the Sebastian Pines and Cresswind annexations and the city's reliance on the County's utility system. Vero Beach candidates were asked about the Three Corners project and about working with the County on its Integrated Water Master Plan.
Every candidate in both races received the questionnaire. Most took the time to respond, and we are grateful to each one. If there is no link with their name, they did not submit answers. Answering a detailed questionnaire in the middle of a campaign is a lot of work, and it gives voters something far more useful than a yard sign. Here is the full field.
Vero Beach City Council Candidates
Tracey Lockwood Zudans (no response)
Sebastian City Council Candidates
Click any name to read that candidate's answers in their own words. We encourage you to read them all before you vote, and to keep the questions in mind after the election, when the votes that matter for the Lagoon actually get taken.
City of Sebastian - Septic to Sewer Connections
On Monday October 12th, the Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) presented to the Sebastian City Council results from the “Sebastian Septic-to-Sewer Buildout Feasibility Study”. The Study results include the following conclusions:
Approximately 10,661 parcels were identified as candidates for conversion from onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) to a connection with a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system.
The Gifford and Glendale Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF) have sufficient treatment capacity to accommodate the projected flows associated with the candidate connections. However, improvements to portions of the existing wastewater collection and transmission infrastructure are needed.
The gravity sewer alternative requires a substantially greater public investment – compared to low pressure sewer alternative - due to the construction of gravity mains, lift stations, force mains, and associated appurtenances. However, these systems are generally characterized by long service life, operational simplicity, and lower long-term maintenance requirements once constructed.
The low-pressure sewer alternative reduces the amount of publicly owned infrastructure using individual grinder pump stations serving each property. Under this alternative, the grinder pump station and all associated facilities located within the property boundary, including electrical service, controls, valves, piping, operation, maintenance, repairs, and eventual equipment replacement, are the responsibility of the property owner.
Because implementation of a citywide septic-to-sewer conversion program would likely occur through multiple phases based on the established priority areas, future phases are expected to experience increased costs resulting from inflation, labor market conditions, material escalation, and other economic factors. As a result, lower-priority areas that are constructed later in the implementation schedule may incur substantially higher costs than areas converted during the earlier phases of the program.
Conversion of existing septic systems to centralized wastewater service is anticipated to reduce nutrient loading to groundwater and surface waters, supporting ongoing efforts to improve water quality within the Indian River Lagoon. In addition to environmental benefits, expansion of centralized wastewater service would enhance the long-term reliability and resiliency of wastewater management throughout the City of Sebastian while providing infrastructure capable of supporting future growth and redevelopment.
Overall, the findings of this study establish a planning-level framework for future septic-to-sewer conversion efforts within the City of Sebastian by evaluating projected wastewater flows, available treatment capacity, collection system alternatives, infrastructure requirements, ownership responsibilities, and associated costs. These analyses provide the basis for continued planning, coordination with IRCDUS, and evaluation of future implementation strategies.
IRCDUS is actively pursuing sewer connections for properties “where centralized sewer service is already available, with FDEP grant-funded financial assistance of up to $15,000 per property for eligible residents.” However, a definitive plan and funding to implement connections within the City of Sebastian have not yet been identified. The County’s Integrated Water Master Plan is under development and is expect to integrate the County’s approach to water, wastewater and reuse planning over the next 20 years.
Marine Resources Council is promoting Low Impact Living as a way to lessen the human impact on the water quality of the Lagoon” Here are suggestions for Homeowners:
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