Restoring Biscayne Bay: Little River bacterial pollution control plan

Sources of surface water pollution are diverse and not always obvious. There are not only infrastructure and technical causes for pollution, but even cultural and social practices that create the flow of waste into water bodies. Getting diverse stakeholders to collaborate and cooperate to address these issues and work together to enact change is the biggest challenge: breaking down the silos and bringing communities together.  

In the face of MS4 regulatory compliance, municipalities across South Florida were challenged to identify point and non-point sources of surface water pollution and look for ways to address and remediate them.  

GHD was contracted to identify and recommend management strategies to fill potential gaps to comply with MS4 regulations, while also aiming to improve stakeholder interaction in benefit of the bacteria control project. 

From December 2023 to April 2024, GHD's environmental team conducted a comprehensive assessment, fostering stakeholder collaboration through innovative engagement techniques. Interactive sessions, including a hands-on maps-on-table activity and an immersive in-person watershed tour, allowed diverse stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of each other's perspectives, needs and challenges, ultimately strengthening their collective bond and facilitating a more cohesive approach to the project. 

The project encompassed two phases. The initial phase involved identifying areas of concern, soliciting feedback and reengaging the team. The subsequent phase entailed field verification to examine the areas of concern identified in the preceding stage. The combination of activities broke down the silos and fostered a collaborative environment, enabling our assessment of the management actions required to implement the necessary change. 

The project yielded two significant areas of impact. First, it has fostered enhanced cooperation among municipalities and other stakeholders. These entities are now better informed, well-better prepared and cognizant of the challenges they collectively face when addressing bacterial control in surface water. This heightened awareness has facilitated collaboration and a proactive approach to identifying pollution sources, implementing effective solutions and, enacting the necessary changes for sustained bacterial pollution control.  

Secondly, the project has directly benefited the communities served. Residents can now enjoy cleaner, safer water, that does not pose the health hazards associated with high bacterial concentrations. This improvement in water quality has far-reaching implications for public health, quality of life, and the overall well-being of the affected populations.