County Water, Mangroves, and more
- IRNA
- Sep 20
- 6 min read
September 20, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
Update on the County's
Water Infrastructure Planning
Indian River County is developing its first comprehensive water utilities master plan since 2004. The Integrated Water Master Plan represents a 20-year strategic framework designed to address drinking water, wastewater, and reuse systems countywide.
The Challenge
The county faces mounting pressures that its outdated 2004 plan cannot address: steady population growth, aging infrastructure, and evolving state regulations. Most significantly, a 2030 state mandate requiring septic-to-sewer connections carries an estimated price tag of $500 million to $1 billion for local taxpayers. The County has admitted it is unlikely to meet such a deadline, we are heartened to see them working towards addressing this and other major sources of water pollution.
The Approach
Unlike previous efforts, this plan coordinates all three water systems under one strategy. The county is working with consulting firm HDR to develop an "integrated" approach rather than planning each system separately.
Key Planning Objectives:
Project future water and wastewater demand
Assess current treatment plant capacity and infrastructure condition
Identify alternative water sources
Create a 20-year capital improvement plan
Align utility planning with broader county goals
Current Status
Timeline: October 2024 start, July 2026 completion
Public Input: The county completed several outreach meetings over the course of this year. This feedback identified 10 priority themes that will guide project evaluation, from environmental protection to cost considerations.
Technical Work Underway:
Demand Analysis – Mapping 20-year and 50-year service boundaries to predict growth patterns
System Assessment – Reviewing five years of treatment plant performance data
Infrastructure Modeling – Updating sewer system hydraulic models for the first time since 2015
Where it Falls Short
One critical area receiving limited attention in the master plan is long-term water supply monitoring and protection. Recent county commission discussions revealed a gap: the county defers water quantity monitoring to the St. Johns River Water Management District, but that agency relies primarily on a few monitoring wells and computer modeling rather than more comprehensive real-time data collection.
With Florida's rapid population growth, potential saltwater intrusion, and thousands of unmapped old wells potentially wasting groundwater, many question whether current monitoring is adequate. The IRNA's Water and Lagoon Committee plans to examine these water supply concerns more closely going forward.
It's worth noting that stormwater management has not been incorporated into this integrated water management plan, despite the interconnected nature of all water systems.
What's at Stake
The plan serves as the foundation for addressing major upcoming costs, particularly the state's septic-to-sewer mandate. Without strategic planning, the county risks reactive, more expensive solutions as infrastructure needs become critical.
We will continue to monitor this plan's progress and keep you updated on it as more information becomes available.
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Why Your Water Bill May Be Going Up
(And Why That's Not A Bad Thing)
Starting October 1st, Indian River County utility customers will see their monthly bills increase by about $7.26, bringing the average residential bill from $60.44 to $67.70.
The Reality Check: We've been living in the past when it comes to utility pricing. While other utilities across the nation saw their water bills skyrocket by something like 210% over the past 25 years, Indian River County held the line. In fact, between 1999 and 2019, we didn't raise rates at all. The result? Our cumulative increase in the 25 years before this was just 12%! That's a fraction of what most Americans are paying.
What This Means for You:
Even after this increase, we'll still have the lowest utility rates on the Treasure Coast according to county staff
Our infrastructure will actually keep up with all the growth happening
Less deferred maintenance to create bigger problems down the road
The Bottom Line: As more people and businesses choose to call Indian River County home, we need water and sewer systems that can handle the demand. Growth is not free, nor is it paid for in it's totality by development.
This is one of those reasons the IRNA is in favor of more managed growth... The more our area develops, the more it will cost all the residents. Remember this next time your elected officials are praising that new subdivision coming to town...
County hopes new anchoring rules stem tide of derelict boats here (Vero News) - An ordinance was approved by the county commission to create restricted areas in the Indian River Lagoon where boats may not be anchored for more than 45 days in an effort to combat the growing issue of abandoned vessels.
Big boost for Three Corners as developers join forces (Vero News) - In a big step for the Three Corners project, development groups Clearpath Services and Madison Marquette have formed a joint venture to build the 17-acre site on the Vero mainland waterfront.
Fall sailing surges ahead at YSF Community Sailing (Indian River Guardian) - One hundred and forty junior sailors, including those from 35 schools, 40 homeschoolers, and 27 percent from minority communities, are participating in the fall sailing season with the Youth Sailing Foundation, which provides free sailing to about half of the participants from underserved homes.
Last-known living survivor of 1928 hurricane honored at remembrance ceremony (WPTV) - Pahokee, Florida, held a ceremony to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, a storm that killed at least 2,500 people, with 99-year-old Lucille Herron, the last-known living survivor, in attendance.
Flights now on-sale for American Airlines out of Vero Beach Airport (WQCS) - American Airlines will begin offering daily flights between Vero Beach and Charlotte, North Carolina, on February 12, with ticket sales now underway.
Mangroves:
Florida's Coastal Guardians
Along Florida's east coast, mangrove forests serve as natural barriers protecting communities like those in Indian River County. These unique "walking trees" (named for their distinctive roots that extend into the water) are vital to coastal health.
Why They Matter
Mangroves stabilize shorelines, filter pollutants from water before it reaches the Indian River Lagoon, and provide critical nursery habitat for fish. Their canopies also serve as nesting sites for pelicans and other coastal birds.
Protected but Under Threat
Florida law strictly protects mangroves. Removing them without permits can result in $250 fines per tree plus restoration costs. Despite this, recent local incidents highlight ongoing pressures on the trees.
In 2023, nearly 1,000 mangroves were illegally cut at Sandpiper Bay Resort in Port St. Lucie. The resort was ordered to replant 3,000 seedlings, though Hurricane Milton later damaged the restoration effort.
More recently, a Sebastian property owner illegally cleared over 55,000 square feet of mangroves and filled wetlands. The case drew particular attention when someone used fake Florida Department of Transportation signs to make the clearing appear legitimate.
These incidents underscore why protecting mangroves is essential. We need to protect them and raise the alarm when they are threatened! Keep an eye on these stories. If fake FDOT signs almost worked in Sebastian, what else could work? If you see someone cutting down a mangrove tree and think they do not have a permit to do so, contact the State Watch Office at 800-320-0519.
Indian River County Alerts Residents to Ignore Mistaken Waste Management Bills (Sebastian Daily) - Indian River County is advising residents in unincorporated areas to disregard recent invoices from Waste Management for trash collection since the charges will now be covered by a new county assessment on property tax statements, and those who have already paid will receive a refund.
DeSantis and the Everglades: What will be his legacy? (VoteWater.org) - While Governor DeSantis began his term by securing billions in funding for Everglades restoration, his environmental legacy is now being tarnished by the approval of damaging projects and the replacement of environmental advocates with developers on a key water management board.
Tallest structures on the Treasure Coast 2025 (TC Palm) - Several of the Treasure Coast's tallest structures, including the Stuart Water Tower, the WQCS radio tower in Fort Pierce, the reactors at the FPL St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, and the new 73-foot-tall Heart in the Park sculpture in Port St. Lucie, are featured in a photo gallery showcasing the region's prominent landmarks.
Nasa rover finds rocks on Mars with potential signs of past life (BBC) - Not directly related to Indian River County, but very cool information released during a busy news cycle last week. The Perseverance Rover has discovered mudstones on Mars containing minerals that, on Earth, are byproducts of microbial activity, representing the most compelling potential biosignature for ancient life found on the red planet to date.
In the Midst of Florida's Insurance Crisis, What Recourse Do Residents Have? (Inside Climate News) - Amid an escalating climate crisis, residents of inland Florida communities are facing a surge in insurance policy non-renewals and soaring premiums, leaving many unable to afford coverage and vulnerable to financial ruin from future extreme weather events.
Want your voice to be heard? Use this link to easily contact elected officials—from your city council to the President. Your voice can make a real impact. While the IRNA may occasionally prompt you to contact specific officials about urgent issues, we keep this list handy for your convenience. Can't find who you're looking for? Just let us know; we're here to help connect you with the right people.
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