City of Titusville fined $15,750 for Wastewater Discharge

On May 5, 2022 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FDEP, says they found an unauthorized discharged that occurred at the City’s North Osprey waste water treatment facility, located on Buffalo road that had “a direct impact on the Indian River Lagoon”

The FDEP stated that from April 5, 2022 to April 12, 2022 a release of 175,200 gallons of untreated wastewater was reported to the Department for which a stipulated penalty of $15,000.00 is being assessed.

The FDEP also stated that on February 8, 2022, a release of 50 gallons of untreated wastewater, with direct impact to the Indian River, was reported to the Department, which a stipulated penalty of $750.00 is being assessed by the FDEP

Stel Bailey, executive Director of Fight for Zero, an environmental nonprofit, says the they did a preliminary test for E. Coli and coliform.

She says, “We sampled along the Indian River Lagoon at Kirk Point Riverside Park, and the test returned positive for E. Coli. This is considered a preliminary test because it’s a one-step method where you check for color changes.”

“Officials should be proactive and use their resources to accurately read the E. coli levels in the Indian River Lagoon. I am concerned for the community and visitors’ health that is swimming in this water.” Stel Bailey said

She said, “E. coli entering a wound is the leading cause of infection. This kind of bacteria can quickly enter a small cut or scrape. It has been known to cause soft tissue infections. Sewage pollution also feeds harmful algae, which challenges water quality and impacts our fisheries, wildlife, seagrass, and more.”

The FDEP says the penalties are owed within 30 days of the Department’s issuance of the stipulated penalty letter, pictured below