Scoring the Lagoon Scale: Extremely Poor to Very Good

Indian River Lagoon Health Update

Dr. Leesa Souto, Executive Director of the Marine Resources Council, presented the 2017 lagoon score card at the Sustainability Workshop Series on March 10th. Souto elaborated on 20+ years of monitoring data from multiple locations within the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon is scored based on concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorous, algae, turbidity and sea grass cover. Here in the Banana River, water quality is scored as very poor and sea grass cover has depleted drastically according to the 2017 data. Souto noted that we still have a long way to go in restoring the lagoon and that 2018 and 2019 data, expected to be released this year, will give us more clues as to how the lagoon is doing.
Read below for more information on how YOU can help save the Indian River Lagoon!

Where do you wash your car?

The best place to wash your car is at a commercial car wash. Washing your car in your driveway or in the street causes contaminated water to flow into storm drains, which often lead directly to the lagoon.

Environmental Benefits of using a commercial car wash:

Car washes are able to recycle up to 100% of the water used for each wash
Use less water than washing your car at home
Keeps harmful soaps, dirt and auto fluids out of our waterways

If you choose to wash your car at home, here are some eco friendly tips:

Use water based, phosphate free soap
Wash your car in a grassy area that will help capture runoff
If you are using a hose, attach a spray nozzle to limit water use
Use water from a rain barrel

Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB) Lagoon Friendly Lawn Nutrient Pollution Reduction Program

Lagoon Friendly Lawns

Does your yard make the cut?

Nutrient pollution from lawns is one of the leading sources of contaminates entering our waterways. Runoff from lawns enter storm drains which usually lead directly into the lagoon. Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB) suggests the following core concepts for Lagoon Friendly Lawns. Each newsletter we will dive deeper into one of their core concepts!

Minimize Nutrient Pollution
- Clear lawn clippings from impervious surfaces (i.e. driveways, sidewalks) to prevent them from entering the lagoon
- Prevent soaps and runoff from car washing from entering storm drains
- Follow local fertilizer ordinances. Cocoa Beach Fertilizer Ordinance:
  - Rainy Season Ban: June 1st - September 30th
  - No Phosphorous fertilizers are permitted without a soil test
  - Use fertilizers with 50% slow release nitrogen
  - 10 foot fertilizer free zone next to any water body
  - Voluntary 25 foot fertilizer free zone along Banana River
Reduce Turf Area
Reduce Stormwater Runoff
Restore Ecosystem Benefits

Did you set it and forget it? Check your sprinkler settings today. Water Less

Daylight Savings & Water Savings

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner! Here are some helpful reminders from St. Johns River Water Management District on when to water your lawn during daylight savings months.

Homes with odd number addresses: Wednesday & Saturday
Homes with even number addresses: Thursday & Sunday
Non-residential properties: Tuesday & Friday
Water between 4pm - 10am and only if needed (i.e. lawns may need to be watered less after rain)

Cocoa Beach Earth Day Friday Fest. An Event for the whole family. Where: Downtown cocoa beach on minutemen causeway. When: Friday Fest April 17th. Time: 6pm to 10pm