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Clean Water Coalition honors Vero Beach water department for lagoon work
Summary
The Clean Water Coalition recognized the City of Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department with a Lagoon Champions award, citing STEP sewer connections, a low-income connection partnership and advanced wastewater treatment construction.
Judy Orcutt, president of the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County, presented a Lagoon Champions recognition to the City of Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department for work to reduce nutrient pollution and restore the Indian River Lagoon.
Orcutt highlighted progress since the 2016 fish kill and subsequent algae events: the city's STEP mainline installations (started in 2015) have connected roughly half of city septic systems so far, a public-private partnership has helped 64 low-income households prepare to connect, and construction has begun on an advanced wastewater treatment facility intended to produce lower-nutrient effluent that could be reused for irrigation. Orcutt praised the department's creativity and partnership with nonprofits and funders.
Rob accepted the recognition on behalf of the city and introduced water and sewer staff who were present. Council members and the mayor thanked the department for years of work to address lagoon health.
Why it matters: Nutrient reduction and sewer connections are central to local efforts to restore the Indian River Lagoon, and the award highlights cross-sector partnerships between municipal utilities and nonprofit advocates.
