Lagoon in Crisis: The 2024 Indian River Lagoon Health Report Shows Deteriorating Conditions

The Marine Resources Council's Annual Report Reveals Poor Health for Central Indian River Lagoon, Despite Limited Improvements in Certain Areas

Palm Bay, FL — If you live in Palm Bay, you've likely noticed that the Indian River Lagoon isn't what it used to be. The Marine Resources Council (MRC) has released its 2024 Indian River Lagoon Health Report, and the findings confirm what many of us have suspected: the health of the Central Indian River Lagoon (CIRL), which includes Palm Bay, is in serious trouble. Rated as "poor," this assessment highlights the environmental struggles affecting this important part of our community. There are some small signs of hope, like improved sediment health, but the lagoon continues to face significant challenges—from harmful algal blooms to wastewater spills and an alarming loss of seagrass.

Key Findings from the Report

The 2024 assessment evaluates five critical health indicators of the Indian River Lagoon across its five sub-basins: Mosquito Lagoon, North Indian River Lagoon, Banana River Lagoon, Central Indian River Lagoon, and South Indian River Lagoon. For those of us who care about our local environment, it's important to understand the complex and varied state of the Central Indian River Lagoon. Conditions differ greatly across the five key indicators: harmful algal blooms, seagrass coverage, sediment health, wastewater spills, and overall water quality.

Here are the key findings:

1. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

• Status: "Okay" for 2024.

• Details: The Central Indian River Lagoon experienced two harmful algal bloom events between August 2023 and August 2024. The average concentration of chlorophyll-a, which measures the amount of algae, was 15.3 µg/L, with a median of 5.5 µg/L. While this resulted in an 'okay' rating, harmful algae blooms are still a major concern and something many of us have experienced firsthand.

2. Seagrass Coverage

• Status: "Very Poor."

• Details: The seagrass beds—vital for marine life and the health of the lagoon—are disappearing. Sparse coverage was recorded for 2024, signaling ongoing difficulties in supporting the underwater vegetation critical to the lagoon’s health. This affects not just the ecosystem, but the beauty and function of the lagoon that many of us enjoy.

3. Sediment Health

• Status: "Good," based on limited data.

• Details: There's a bit of good news here: data from the Smithsonian Fort Pierce Marine Station and MRC suggest good sediment health, which might help seagrass eventually recover. However, this data is limited, so it’s hard to feel too optimistic until we see broader, more comprehensive results.

4. Wastewater Spills

• Status: Significant cause for concern.

• Details: Over the last year, 52 wastewater spills have occurred in the Central Indian River Lagoon watershed, with nine of these releasing directly into the lagoon. Spill volumes ranged from 50 gallons to 1.33 million gallons, including untreated and partially treated wastewater. This is unacceptable, and many residents feel frustrated knowing how these spills degrade the water quality of a place we care about.

Over the last five years, Palm Bay has seen numerous wastewater spills that have directly impacted the lagoon. For example, one of the largest incidents occurred just last year, where 1.33 million gallons of treated water spilled into the lagoon. In the past, similar events have involved untreated wastewater, making the damage even more severe. The repeated infrastructure failures have highlighted the pressing need for investment in upgrades and better maintenance of the city’s wastewater systems. Heavy rain events, tropical storms, and aging infrastructure all contribute to these spills, and residents are growing increasingly concerned about the lack of effective action to mitigate these problems. It's time for both local authorities and the community to step up and address the issue in a meaningful way.

5. Water Quality

• Status: "Poor."

• Details: Water quality in the Central IRL remains a big problem. Specific metrics were rated as follows:

• pH and Dissolved Oxygen: "Good."

• Chlorophyll-a: "Okay."

• Turbidity and Total Phosphorus: "Poor."

• Total Nitrogen: "Very Poor."

• Major Contributors to Nitrogen Loading: The high nitrogen levels in the Central Indian River Lagoon can be attributed to several major sources:

• Stormwater Runoff: Fertilizers used on residential lawns, golf courses, and agricultural fields wash into the lagoon during rainfall, significantly increasing nitrogen levels.

• Wastewater Spills: Frequent spills of untreated or partially treated wastewater introduce large amounts of nitrogen, further degrading water quality.

• Septic Systems: Many homes still rely on septic systems, which can leach nitrogen into the groundwater and eventually flow into the lagoon if not properly maintained.

• Agricultural Practices: Runoff from agricultural lands also carries nitrogen-rich fertilizers, adding to the overall nutrient load.

• Atmospheric Deposition: Nitrogen compounds from vehicle emissions and industrial activities settle into the lagoon, contributing to nitrogen loading.

These sources collectively drive the persistent nitrogen issues in the lagoon, leading to harmful algae blooms and poor water quality. Addressing these challenges requires community engagement and infrastructure improvements. High nutrient levels are still driving persistent issues in the lagoon, and it’s clear that the ecosystem is struggling to keep up.

Overall Health Assessment

The overall health of the Central Indian River Lagoon is poor, and while there are a few bright spots, the reality is that we need to do much more. High nitrogen levels, sparse seagrass, and numerous wastewater spills paint a picture of an ecosystem struggling to recover. As a community, it’s time we face these issues head-on.

What Can Be Done? Recommendations for the Future

Call for Volunteers: Join the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee

To make real progress, we need dedicated individuals willing to step up and contribute. The Brevard County Commissioners are currently seeking volunteers for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of funds dedicated to lagoon restoration efforts. If you are passionate about protecting the lagoon and want to make a difference, consider applying to join. More details can be found here.

The Marine Resources Council has outlined several steps we can take to help restore the health of the lagoon. Here’s what they recommend:

• Community Engagement: We can all do our part by reducing fertilizer use, maintaining Florida-friendly landscaping, and supporting local conservation programs. These small actions can have a big impact on reducing nutrient runoff.

• Upgraded Infrastructure: It's also crucial for our local government to invest in wastewater treatment improvements and work towards transitioning septic systems to sewer. Reducing nutrient loads is key to improving water quality, and we need to push for these changes.

• Ongoing Monitoring: We need more data. Continued monitoring is essential to understand where progress is happening and where we’re still falling short.

These actions are crucial if we want to see any meaningful restoration of the lagoon.

Central Indian River Lagoon: Complex Challenges

The Central IRL faces unique challenges. The high population density in this area, the length of the lagoon, and its distance from natural inlets all contribute to poor water exchange and declining health. The report refers to this basin as “a tricky section in a very complex system” that requires long-term projects, better management, and consistent municipal support. We need our city and county officials to recognize these challenges and respond accordingly.

A Community Effort to Save the Lagoon

The health of the Indian River Lagoon is not just an environmental issue—it’s something that impacts all of us in Palm Bay. Whether it's upgrading septic systems, limiting runoff from our lawns, or supporting policies that protect the lagoon, each of us has a role to play. This report makes it clear that safeguarding this resource is a community responsibility.

Government support is also vital. Recent initiatives like the ARPA-funded septic-to-sewer conversion program in Palm Bay and stormwater management system upgrades have been effective steps towards reducing pollution in the lagoon. For example, the ARPA-funded septic-to-sewer initiative has already led to a 15% reduction in nitrogen runoff in targeted neighborhoods, and stormwater upgrades have reduced overflow incidents by 10% over the past year. Additionally, infrastructure resilience programs, such as those targeting wastewater spill prevention, are crucial in protecting water quality and restoring lagoon health.

The Palm Bayer has previously reported extensively on Palm Bay’s septic-to-sewer program, which aims to reduce nitrogen pollution by eliminating outdated septic systems. Our reports show how septic systems contribute to nitrogen loading and how sewer conversions mitigate these impacts. We also discussed the financial challenges faced by residents, including the high costs of converting septic systems, and highlighted assistance programs like grants from the ARPA fund, low-interest loans, and subsidies provided by local government to ease this transition. You can find more about these efforts in our previous articles: "Florida's New Septic Mandates: What You Need to Know" and "Palm Bay Launches ARPA-Funded Septic to Sewer Program".

These articles highlight the challenges faced by homeowners, the financial assistance options available, and the critical role that this conversion plays in improving the lagoon’s health. We encourage residents to read these reports to understand the local impact and see the progress being made.

In addition, getting involved in local committees, like the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee, is a hands-on way to support and influence the restoration efforts directly. For example, the Citizen Oversight Committee recently influenced the allocation of funds towards enhanced wastewater treatment upgrades, ensuring that lagoon restoration projects receive necessary resources and attention. These are long-term commitments, but they’re absolutely necessary because restoring seagrass beds, improving water quality, and upgrading wastewater infrastructure are changes that take years of consistent effort to achieve. The benefits include a healthier ecosystem, increased biodiversity, and better resilience against future environmental challenges.

A Call for Accountability and Action

The Marine Resources Council continues to monitor the lagoon and push for its recovery, but they can't do it alone. Local authorities must step up, and we, as residents, must hold them accountable. The slow pace of meaningful change is frustrating, and it’s time we demand coordinated action that reflects the urgency of the situation.

“The health of the Indian River Lagoon is a reflection of the health of our entire community,” said an MRC spokesperson. “We need everyone—from individual households to local governments—to do their part to make sure we are on a path to recovery, not decline.”

How You Can Help

There are many ways we, as residents, can help improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon:

• Fertilizer Reduction: Use less lawn fertilizer, especially during the summer months when runoff is most likely.

• Buffer Zones: Create buffer zones around retention ponds and other water bodies to reduce runoff.

• Septic System Upgrades: If you’re on a septic system, consider upgrading or converting to sewer to help reduce nutrient pollution.

• Join Conservation Efforts: Support local initiatives like the Save Our Indian River Lagoon project funded by a ½ cent sales tax, which directly contributes to lagoon restoration efforts.

Learn More

For a full, detailed breakdown of the report and to find out how you can get involved in restoring the Indian River Lagoon, visit the Marine Resources Council's website here for the complete report.

The Indian River Lagoon is an irreplaceable natural asset, vital for the environment, economy, and culture of Florida’s east coast. It’s up to us, the residents, to take action, engage, and support the restoration efforts needed to bring this ecosystem back to health.

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