LTC 302-2017 Foam Formation Adjacent to the 17th Street Pump Station MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Mami Beach,Florida 33139,www mam bwchfi o0
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel:305-673-7010, Fax:305-673-7782
NO. LTC u3oa .2orfi LETTER TO COMMISSION
To: Mayor Philip Levine and Members the City ommission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: June 6, 2017
SUBJECT: FOAM FORMATION ADJACENT O THE 17TH STREET PUMP STATION
We have received a number of emails and pictures of Collins Canal of what has been described
as "scum" at the pump station adjacent to 17' Street. The purpose of this Letter to Commission
is to clarify what is occurring and to confirm that there is no cause for concern.
Actually, what is occurring is the formation of foam which occurs as a result of the air that is
being introduced to the water, called air entrainment, as it is being pumped. The pump station is
designed to include aeration which will increase the dissolved oxygen in the receiving water
body. It is important to maintain the oxygen level in the water because it is vital for the survival of
fish and other aquatic species. Additionally, low levels of oxygen cause algal blooms.
The foam dissipates quickly as the oxygen is released into the surrounding water. It is similar to
the foam that can be seen occasionally along our beaches, where the waves meet the sand.
The foam is not an indicator of pollution. The water that is being discharged through our pump
stations is cleaner than what has traditionally flowed out of our aging gravity-based stormwater
system. For example, the pump stations have bar racks that remove bottles and cans, as well as
a large structure that removes sediments before the water goes into our waterways. The city
and the county regularly conduct water quality sampling throughout the city's waterways,
including in the vicinity of this location, and the results do not indicate a cause for concern.
If you have any questions in this regards, please contact Mr. Eric Carpenter, Assistant City
Manager/Public Works Director at ext. 6212.
JM/ET �J