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What Is the Indian River Lagoon? Three Problems Facing the Lagoon ' Vehicles and Boats You can help clean up the lagoon: DaigneitecdAn Fsluary of National Significance in 1990 by Congress lhanugh the Clean Water Act Stormwater Runoff One gallon of motor oil can contaminate •Organize your neighbors to request sewer • We call it"The River"but it's actually not a river.There is one MILLION gallons of water! installations in your neighborhood no flow—only wind effects,and tidal fluctuations near the •Keep cars and boats running properly • Pump out your septic system every 3-5 years inlets.The pollutants we put in the Lagoon stay in the Lagoon. •Use bio-degradable cleaners on boatsY1 Runoff from tool,lawn and driveway • Never drive or park over the septic system • The Lagoon is very shallow,averaging about Four feet deep •Never leave trash or human/pet waste on islands • Plant only groundcovers over and near the drainfield so its sediments are easily stirred by wind. •Never release boat sewage into the lagoon . Flush only human waste—not disposable diapers, • The Lagoon has five widely spaced inlets that allow a limited •Report observed spills 24/7:1-800-320-0519 sanitary supplies,paper towels exchange of ocean water and aquatic wildlife. For more information:wwwdep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/ • Never flush toxic waste such as medicine,oil,grease, • The canals emptying into the Lagoon were created to drain paint,pesticides,cleaners the inland areas for fanning.Now those canals are carrying r urban stomrwater into the Lagoon. Septic System Leaching • Consider composting instead of using a garbage disposal Lagoon Health: empties into drain There are about 36,864 septic systems in operation in • Seagrass coverage is the primary indicator of lagoon health; "``" ,• Indian River County.17,554 were installed prior to rule ' Spread laundry loads over the week. it is the foundation of the Lagoon's food web.Since 2011,the changes requiring a 24-inch separation from the water • Conserve water use to lessen septic leaching Indian River Lagoon has last 63%of its total acres of seagrass `, table,and at least a 50-foot setback from surface water. For more information: compared to 2009.This represents a loss of 47,000 acres of htip://www.myfloridaeh.cojiVosids/index.lititil seagrass. 900 septic systems are within the city limits on the barrier • Habitat loss of seagrass beds,mangroves,oyster reefs andisland alone;83%of which are not in compliance with _A * c standards for or new construction.These may ever s wetlands is affecting the viability of the estuarine and marine currents� u �tiY Ndiose of medications� � P fisheries,as well as bird and manatee health. • l _ have a 6-inch or less separation from the water table and W i by flushing them down the toilet • Our Lagoon has been called one of the most biologically may be 25 feet or closer to the lagoon. . or drain! diverse estuaries in North America because of the huge Dispose of unwanted medications as solid waste t Septic systems are designed to catch solid waste and to variety of living things calling it home.Many species use Sep • Mark out your name and prescription number d lwaste through the surrounding soil. l l lowy percolate liquid the Lagoon's protected waters as nurseries for their young. s •Add water or soda to dissolvetlls The nursery areas are scarce and threatened. Approximately 265 gallons of wastewater per day per P Pollution prevention is up to you! household leaches into ground water,carrying nutrients •Add cat litter or dirt to liquids • mar75%(over40,000 been acres)r the Lagoon's wetlands and salt "* til from the food we eat,along with other chemicals(detergents • Tape closed and dispose of in trash marshes have been lostce altered due to development or Did you know that stormdrains and canals are NOT and medications)that might have entered our septic system. • Do not put in recycle bin mosquito control practices.These marshes are important fish connected to treatment plants?In the Treasure Coast OR nurseries and serve as filters to improve water quality.Many Region,the storm system flows directly into the Lagoon. The variables that determine how much pollution enters our Find medication disposal sites and events at: of these altered wetlands have been reconnected to the Lagoon, offering improved marsh-estuary exchanges for fisheries Never use the canals or stonndrains as trash receptacles. water table and eventually the lagoon are: http://www.del).state.fl.us/w aste/categories/ while still providing mosquito control benefits. • Keep yard clippings and chemicals off sheets •elevation of the system above ground water medications/pages/disposal.htm Our Economy: and drives •type of soil which is serving as a filter or contact your county sheriff's office. • Pick u t waste • The Lagoon's economic benefits and value are estimated p •amount of rain rs on lawn or at commercial facility •amount of liquids entering at over$3.7 billion annually to the Treasure and Space Coast •Wash ca9 g the system. regions and the state. • Dispose of hazardous wastes through County • The Lagoon supports 15,000 jobs producing goods and Convenience Centers—including paint cans,electronics, services equaling$1.6 billion in sales of recreational goods aerosol cans,used motor oil,pesticides,batteries,fluorescent light bulbs,solvents,fertilizers S e and services,investments in research,restoration and education projects and activities,and sales from commercial For information about recycling and disposal of fish landings. hazardous wastes in IRC visit:http://www.ircwaste.cofn 400, CNO l �t