Brevard County Water Quality and Marine Ecosystems
Managing the environmental health of Brevard County is a massive undertaking, involving the oversight of 8,000 miles (13,000 km) of waterline. From the delicate estuaries of the Indian River Lagoon to the deep-sea corals of the Oculina Reef, the region's water systems are vital to both the local economy and the survival of diverse marine species. However, these waters face significant challenges from pollution, invasive species, and aging infrastructure.
Key Facts
- Infrastructure: Brevard County manages 8,000 miles of waterline and saw septic tank numbers grow from 20,000 in 1970 to approximately 100,000 by 2016.
- Pollution Sources: Major threats include nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, septic tank failures, and untreated sewage discharges.
- Wildlife Hubs: The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is the largest nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere.
- Regulatory Goals: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection set a 15-year benchmark to reduce nitrogen runoff by 67% and phosphorus by 72%.
- Conservation Efforts: Organizations like the Watershed Action Volunteers (WAV) and Keep Brevard Beautiful actively monitor and clean local waterways.
The Indian River Lagoon: Challenges and Recovery
The Indian River Lagoon is a critical ecosystem currently battling several environmental stressors. As of 2013, four primary issues were identified: excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff, a septic tank failure rate estimated between 8% and 11%, the accumulation of "muck" (sediment from construction, farming, and dead plants) that consumes vital oxygen, and the presence of invasive species.
Invasive species such as the Asian green mussel, South American charru mussel, and Australian spotted jellyfish threaten the lagoon by consuming fish larvae and clams, thereby eroding native biodiversity.
Infrastructure failures have also played a role. In 2004, aging sewer systems led to 1 million US gallons of escaped sewage. More recently, in 2017, extreme storms forced the discharge of 20 million US gallons of untreated sewage near Indian Harbour Beach. While treated wastewater is legally permitted, untreated sewage poses a health hazard and contributed 0.5% of the lagoon's nutrients. In response, a 2018 consent order required the installation of 3.5 miles of force mains on the South Beaches at a cost of $10 million.
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Salinity and Algae Blooms
Freshwater runoff frequently disrupts the lagoon's salinity levels. In 2005, four communities, including Cocoa Beach, failed salinity tests because levels were too low. To combat this, the St. Johns River Water Management District began diverting freshwater, sediment, and pollution from the C-1 and C-54 canals into the St. Johns River instead of the lagoon.
Conversely, some samples have shown salinity as high as 5% salt—double the desirable level and higher than the 2.5% found in ocean water. Additionally, a 2012 algae bloom, likely triggered by drought and extreme winter cold, resulted in a 50% dieback of sea grass, which is essential for marine life.
The St. Johns Watershed and Ocean Conservation
The St. Johns River Water Management District is responsible for protecting the St. Johns River, the Indian River, and the Banana River. To conserve water, the district regulates lawn sprinkling: once a week during Standard time and twice a week during Daylight Saving Time, with first-time violators facing a $50 fine.
Further offshore, conservationists have sought a "National Marine Sanctuary" designation for the Oculina Reef, located 30 miles (48 km) off the coast from Cape Canaveral to Fort Pierce, to protect its unique deep-sea corals from fishing and dumping.
Legislative action has also targeted ocean purity. The 2008 Clean Oceans Act required gambling ships at Port Canaveral to dump sewage more than 14 miles (23 km) from the shore. While these ships eventually went bankrupt due to economic reasons, the act aimed to maintain the high water quality standards of the near-shore areas.
Marine Life and Biodiversity
Brevard County's coastline is a sanctuary for endangered species. The 900-acre Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge hosts 25% of all loggerhead sea turtle nests and 35% of all green sea turtle nests in the United States. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS) works with federal agencies to protect these turtles, which are particularly sensitive to artificial night lights during reproduction.
Other marine mammals also face hardships. Bottlenose dolphins frequently strand in the Indian River Lagoon; in 2008, 62 dolphins died in the lagoon, with approximately 80% of those deaths occurring in the Brevard portion. There are also ongoing concerns regarding manatee perinatal deaths.
Recent inventories have revealed a troubling rise in diseases, including tumors, lesions, and cancers in fish, turtles, and dolphins. Furthermore, a flesh-eating parasite has infected blue crab and shrimp populations, leading scientists to warn of potential future risks to humans using the estuary.
Beach Management and Coastal Protection
The natural drift of sand is interrupted by the Port Canaveral entry and its jetties, which starve the beaches to the south for 13 miles (21 km) of sand. This necessitates expensive replenishment projects funded 60% by the federal government and 40% by local and county authorities.
Efforts to preserve the coastline include the City of Satellite Beach permanently protecting 37% of its oceanfront from development. Additionally, the Canaveral National Seashore offers 24 miles of undisturbed beach. However, the Mid-Reach Shore Protection Project has sparked controversy; critics from "Save The Mid-Reach" argue that replacing natural reefs with offshore mitigation reefs fails to provide the same ecological functions.
| Category | Key Metric/Detail | Impact/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Waterlines | 8,000 miles | Management challenge |
| Septic Tanks | ~100,000 (2016) | 8-11% failure rate |
| Sea Turtles | Archie Carr Refuge | Largest loggerhead nesting area in W. Hemisphere |
| Nutrient Goals | Nitrogen -67%, Phosphorus -72% | 15-year target (from 2013) |
| Beach Quality | 5 beaches listed as cleanest | Recognized by Clean Beaches Council |
Potable Water and Groundwater Threats
The safety of drinking water remains a point of concern. In 2010, 393 contaminated fuel tanks were identified, with 457 potable wells located within 0.25 miles of these sites.
In 2018, water in the city of Melbourne measured up to 12 parts per trillion of PFBA (perfluorobutanoic acid). While this is well below the Minnesota guideline of 7,000 parts per trillion, the EPA has no established standard for this substance. Local social media groups have reported cancer clusters in Satellite Beach, though a 1992 investigation by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found overall cancer rates in the area were lower than the statewide average, despite higher rates of cervical and breast cancer.
Groundwater in beachside areas has also shown traces of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), with levels up to 430.1 parts per trillion in nonpotable wells in Cocoa Beach. These substances are associated with high cholesterol and developmental effects and are believed to stem from firefighting foams previously used at Patrick Space Force Base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main pollutants affecting the Indian River Lagoon?
The primary pollutants are nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff, untreated sewage from septic tank failures and storm-related discharges, and organic muck from construction and erosion.
Why is the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge significant?
It is the largest nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere and the second largest in the world, hosting a significant percentage of the U.S. population of loggerhead and green sea turtles.
How does the Port Canaveral entry affect local beaches?
The entry and its jetties block the natural north-to-south drift of sand, which deprives 13 miles of beach to the south of natural replenishment, requiring costly artificial sand replacement.
What is the concern regarding PFOS and PFOA in the groundwater?
These chemicals, likely from old firefighting foams, have been found in nonpotable wells. They are linked to adverse reproductive and developmental effects as well as high cholesterol.
How is the St. Johns River Water Management District managing water usage?
The district protects local waterways and enforces lawn sprinkling schedules (once a week during Standard time, twice during Daylight Saving Time) to promote water conservation, with fines for violators.