Stormwater Division

Statement of Function

Stormwater Division is charged with reducing to the maximum extent practicable, the pollution of the Indian River Lagoon caused by stormwater runoff and base groundwater flow. It is also responsible for helping the County implement federally mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Permit goals. These goals are accomplished through design, construction, and operation of regional stormwater pollution removal systems; education; and fertilizer, sediment, and erosion control enforcement and monitoring.

Stormdrain Awareness Project

Only Rain Down The Drain! The Indian River County Stormdrain Awareness Art project was started by Alexis Peralta, County Stormwater Educator, to educate citizens about the importance of our stormdrains and preventing pollution. View all the art here:

See the artwork

Stormwater PSA Videos

It was a busy summer for the Indian River County Stormwater Division staff and interns as they created a number of educatoinal videos to raise awareness of the critical issues facing the Indian River Lagoon in our area. Watch them all here:

Watch the Videos

2021/2022 Goals and Objectives

Major Design and Construction Related Activities

• Complete construction of Moorhen Marsh Low Energy Aquatic Plant System (Moorhen Marsh), a regional stormwater pollution control facility that will remove pollution from the IRFWCD North Relief Canal water.
• Begin Moorhen Marsh operation.
• Completed various projects at Egret Marsh Stormwater Park and Nature Preserve.  (Stop gate replacements, new ATS influent feed manifold flushing system and new ATS lateral pipe valves).
• Complete the Foot Island oyster reef and living shoreline project.
• Continue monitoring water quality on the Indian River Farms Water Control District's North, South, and Main Relief Canals and St. Sebastian River.
• Begin using a super long reach excavator to remove water lettuce from IRFWCD North and South Relief Canals.

Stormwater Education and Fertilizer Enforcement Related Activities

• Continue to educate citizens and businesses, and enforce the Fertilizer Ordinance County-wide, including the City of Vero Beach and the Town of Indian River Shores.
• Continue inserting a stormwater anti-pollution message in every other issue of the County's monthly employee newsletter.
• Continue to channel illicit discharge reports to the proper department staff.
• Continue to present Enviroscape Model to schools, clubs, and camps in the County, encouraging stormwater pollution prevention.
• Further educate County employees on the Fertilizer Ordinance and stormwater pollution, including the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) certification course.
• Continue partnering with local summer camps to teach students how to protect the Lagoon from stormwater pollution and encourage their careers towards environmental science.
• Enhance public stormwater education activities.
• Continue to give educational tours at the County's Stormwater treatment areas.
• Continuing "Only Rain Down the Drain" mural painting around the County and within the City of Vero Beach and City of Sebastian.
• Continue sampling the three main relief canals and St. Sebastian River weekly for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous.
• Maximize public awareness of the County's efforts to improve the Lagoon's health in accordance with the Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan.
• Update website content.

Stormwater Pollution Control Activities

• Continue operation and maintenance of PC Main Screening System.
• Continue operation and maintenance of Egret Marsh Stormwater Park and Wildlife Refuge.
• Continue operation and maintenance of Osprey Acres Floway and Nature Preserve.
• Begin operation and maintenance of Moorhen Marsh Low Energy Aquatic Plant System

Stormwater Enforcement Related Activities

• Continue to ensure that Best Management Practices are being installed and updated at all roadway projects, commercial projects, salvage and scrap yards, industrial facilities, residential developments, construction sites, and dewatering projects.
• Continue to work with County Surveyor to identify and map priority screening areas and locate unpermitted outfalls.
• Continue to work to reduce erosion and sedimentation into County MS4 conveyance systems, waters of the state, Class I, II, III, and Outstanding Florida Waters.
• Issue 5 citations for obstruction of public drainage canals and public drainage works.
• Issue 7- $ 500.00 ticket Citations and 35 Stop Work Orders for all illicit discharges.
• Inspect and enforce natural resource reclamation of limestone mines and sand mines.
• Continue developing Indian River County Proactive Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program with all County Departments and County field inspectors

TO REPORT FLOODING AND OTHER STORMWATER CONCERNS

Please do not call this office - Please call the Road and Bridge Division at 772-226-3970