Florida completed a 2,560-acre stormwater treatment landscape with 4,750 acre-feet of storage

A major environmental restoration project in South Florida has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the C-23/C-24 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). This expansive 2,560-acre facility is designed to capture and treat runoff from agricultural and urban sources before it pollutes the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary.

The new STA, a critical part of the multi-billion-dollar Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), can store up to 4,750 acre-feet of water. Its primary function is to act as a natural filter, utilizing wetland plants to remove excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. These nutrients, when entering coastal waters, can lead to harmful algae blooms, reduced water clarity, and detrimental changes in salinity levels essential for marine life.

Col. Brandon Bowman, commander of the USACE Jacksonville District, emphasized the ecological and economic importance of the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary, describing them as the "heart of South Florida’s natural heritage." These waterways support thousands of plant and animal species and are crucial for the region's economy, recreation, and communities.

With the major earthwork completed, the C-23/C-24 STA is now entering its operational phase, which includes a crucial vegetation "grow-in" period. The project, jointly managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, also involves extensive water infrastructure, including levees and internal culverts, to manage water flow and maintain stable salinity levels vital for seagrass beds and fish nursery areas.

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The Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Estuary are more than just a simple body of water, they are the heart of South Florida’s natural heritage.