Vince Lamb

Guest columnist

While the Indian River Lagoon has experienced algae blooms and fish kills in recent years, new permits for conventional septic systems have continued to be issued at rates of approximately 800 per year. Studies have revealed that nutrient pollutants from such systems provide 18 percent of the nutrient pollution entering the lagoon.

In May 2018, the Brevard County Commission passed a 150-day moratorium on the issuance of septic system permits for properties within 50 meters of the lagoon. The Commissioners directed the Natural Resources Management Department staff to develop a recommended ordinance regarding septic system permits during this period.

On Tuesday and again on Oct. 9 Brevard County commissioners will discuss and potentially vote on a proposed ordinance that requires aerobic or advanced septic systems that remove at least 65 percent of the nutrients before fluids are released into the ground water. This ordinance is limited to the permits for new septic systems for properties within 40 to 60 meters of the lagoon depending upon the location and soil conditions. The proposed ordinance is included in the agenda package for the Tuesday meeting available for download from the county website.

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Using funds from the lagoon half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016 as well as state dollars, 143 properties close to the lagoon in Rockledge were converted from septic systems to sewer. Other projects are underway to convert additional properties from septic systems to sewer.

Such projects are attractive to protect the lagoon in areas where sewage processing systems are nearby and capacity is available for increased loads. Many areas of Brevard County do not have pipes leading to sewage processing plants, so aerobic and advanced septic systems appear to be the best alternative for those locations.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection imposed regulations in July requiring new septic systems to reduce nitrogen pollution by 65 percent or more in areas where septic systems are 20 percent or more of the nutrient sources. While the Brevard County portion of the lagoon is slightly under this limit, imposing similar regulations is consistent with the DEP approach.

The banning of old-style, inefficient septic systems is one of several important steps to restore our lagoon. At a time when we are spending millions to remove nutrient pollutants, we simply must stop allowing more to enter. Public support is needed to encourage Brevard County commissioners to pass this ordinance and to ensure municipalities comply with the new guidelines.

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If you belong to an organization that benefits from a healthy Indian River Lagoon, consider asking the organization to pass a resolution and send a letter supporting the passage of this ordinance. The board of the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition voted unanimously to support it. We will express our support at the upcoming meetings.

As an individual who wants to protect the lagoon, plan to attend these County Commission meetings to express your support. The future of the Indian River Lagoon depends upon strong public involvement to protect and restore this water body.

Vince Lamb is a board member of the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition, a nonprofit with a mission to “Promote the health of the Indian River lagoon by connecting organizations and people actively engaged in its restoration.”