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Board backs Nature Conservancy pilot to retrofit HOA stormwater ponds with smart controls
Summary
The board approved a letter of support for a Nature Conservancy pilot that would install continuous monitoring adaptive control (CMAC) technology on interconnected HOA stormwater ponds to reduce nutrient runoff to the Indian River Lagoon; the project will partner with University of Florida for monitoring and seek private and legislative funds.
The Board of County Commissioners voted to support a Nature Conservancy pilot that would retrofit interconnected homeowner-association stormwater ponds with continuous monitoring adaptive control (CMAC) systems to retain nutrients and reduce runoff to the Indian River Lagoon.
James Byrne, director of strategy and policy for The Nature Conservancy in Florida, told the board the group modeled more than 11,000 ponds across the lagoon and identified sites in Indian River County as promising. "It's called the CMAC, which is, continuous monitoring adaptive control," Byrne said, describing a computer module that optimizes pond water levels using local weather and forecast data to retain more nutrients. Byrne said partners include the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and the University of Florida, which will monitor nutrient reductions.
Commissioners voted to provide a draft letter of support for the project's legislative budget request. Staff said private fundraising would cover most of the pilot costs and that any county support would be limited to endorsing the legislative request and facilitating partnerships.
