April Water News
- CWC
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Clean Water Coalition's initiative to transition Vero Beach homes from septic to sewer is gaining significant momentum, with nearly 40 homeowners now enrolled in the program! Our focus remains centered on the 32960 zip code area, though assistance is available to any City resident who meets the qualifications.Â
The first quarter of 2025 brought expanded outreach. The City of Vero Beach issued notices of the June 2028 connection deadline and our team launched both direct mail and digital campaigns. Our innovative geofenced web advertising received 3,700 views in March informing more homeowners about the program.
We began helping the neediest families first and have now expanded the income eligibility. Â This change has already enabled several previously ineligible homeowners to qualify for assistance.
The Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County continues to play a crucial role, providing hands-on assistance with applications and qualification verification. Meanwhile, the City of Vero Beach provides free financing and connection fee credits to further reduce barriers.
The CWC received a $200,000 grant from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program to support this program and have another IRL-NEP grant application pending.
This initiative represents the combined efforts of the Clean Water Coalition, the City of Vero Beach, Indian River Land Trust, Indian River Community Foundation and Economic Opportunities Council. Together, we're making tangible progress toward eliminating septic systems in Vero Beach while ensuring no homeowner is left behind due to financial constraints.
For more information or to apply, residents in the 32960 area should contact the Economic Opportunities Council or visit this page.
Clean Water Coalition LeadsOpposition to "Boater Freedom Act"
The Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, together with the Indian River Neighborhood Association and Pelican Island Audubon Society, has formally opposed the "Boater Freedom Act" (HB 1001/SB 1388). This legislation would undermine water quality protection by making marine sanitation violations secondary offenses, opening protected wildlife areas to combustion engines, and rolling back decades of environmental protections.
Without proactive sewage holding tank inspections, our waterways face increased contamination risks, harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation, and public health hazards. The Save the Manatee Club also warns of "adverse effects for water quality." While providing short-term boater convenience, these changes threaten the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, which generates billions in economic activity.
However, other proposed legislation (SB 164/HB 1149) takes positive steps by strengthening derelict vessel regulations. These bills replace "owner" with "vessel owner" (including title holders and those with purchase agreements), require permits for long-term anchoring, shorten vessel propulsion demonstration timeframes, establish escalating penalties, prohibit residing on derelict vessels, and clarify owner responsibility for removal costs.
We encourage you to contact your state officials to advocate for common-sense water protection measures rather than complicated changes that jeopardize our environmental safeguards.
Contact Information:
Sen. Erin Grall
Phone: 850-487-5025
Email: Grall.Erin.Web@flsenate.govÂ
Rep. Robbie Brackett
Phone: 772-778-5005
Governor Ron DeSantis
Phone: 850-717-9337
Tampa Bay Times Takes a Deep Dive into the Florida’s Water Quality Restoration Work
The Indian River Lagoon has become a devastating example of how pollution can destroy a critical ecosystem. Starting in 2021, hundreds of manatees began starving to death after decades of nitrogen and phosphorus contamination from agriculture, development, and human waste killed off the seagrass that manatees depend on for food. The Tampa Bay Times investigation found that despite environmental regulators' efforts, pollution levels are increasing or not improving in over half of Florida's contaminated waterways, and more than 89,000 acres of seagrass have disappeared statewide, including 60,000 acres in the Lagoon alone where 98% of manatees' potential food source was eliminated.
The catastrophe resulted in more than 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, with emaciated animals washing up along the Lagoon's shores displaying sunken heads, visible ribs, and depleted fat reserves. While wildlife officials attempted emergency measures like feeding lettuce to starving manatees and rescuing orphaned calves, scientists emphasized that the true solution lies in restoring water quality. It will require stronger regulations with strict enforcement and sufficient funding for remedial projects to keep up with growth – 1,000 people per day moving to Florida. Though the Lagoon has seen modest seagrass recovery recently after several years without severe algae blooms, experts warn that celebration would be premature as pollution levels remain dangerously high, leaving the ecosystem vulnerable to another devastating cycle.Â
The Tampa Bay Times has more on this issue here.
For more info on the methodology of the reporting click here.
Earth Day is April 22!
Earth Day, observed annually on April 22nd, started in 1970 as a grassroots initiative to heighten awareness of our environment. What began as a modest campaign has evolved into a global day of environmental stewardship that engages over one billion participants worldwide, all committed to safeguarding and restoring our collective habitat.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is "Our Power – Our Planet." The theme highlights the need for global solidarity in advancing renewable energy solutions. The objective is to triple sustainable energy production by 2030, helping to mitigate the carbon emissions that have been accelerating climate change. As coastal communities have learned, climate change accelerates sea level rise which is a direct threat to our fresh water supply and will increase groundwater pollution from septic systems.
Earth Day is a reminder that environmental protection is a collective responsibility and a shared opportunity. Whether through investing in renewable energy sources (hybrid vehicle, solar panels), expanding one's environmental awareness (learning about native plants), or practicing modest adjustments to daily routines (reuse/reduce/recycle), each action advances our progress toward a healthier planet.
St. Sebastian River Paddle Fest
Join the Friends of St. Sebastian River for their fourth annual Paddle Fest on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 8am to 2pm at the Sebastian Canoe Launch. This fundraising event features a scenic 3-hour paddle down one of Florida's most beautiful rivers, followed by a Publix box lunch.
The $35 entry fee includes lunch and a one-year FSSR membership. Bring your own canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, or reserve a free rental from About Kayaks (subject to availability). Don't forget your camera for the photo contest - the winner receives Costa Del Mar sunglasses and will be featured in the organization's newsletter. Transportation back to your vehicle will be provided.
