LTC 329-2021 North Beach Water Quality UpdateMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC#
329-2021
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM, Alina T. Hudak, City Manager &;c~~o4
DATE : August 5, 2021
SUBJECT: North Beach Water Quality Update
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC) is to provide an update on the "No
Contact with Water Advisory" placed on the waterway adjacent to the kayak launch in
the vicinity of 73 Street and provide an update on the reported discharge in the vicinity of
900 Bay Drive .
73 Street & Dickens Avenue Water Advisory History & Background
In March 2020 , there was a sanitary sewer main break in the parking lot at 72 Street and
Collins Avenue. The City immediately issued a
"No Contact Advisory," closed the kayak
launch, and began water quality testing to
identify impacts to the surrounding surface
waters. Typically, following a sanitary sewer
break, surrounding surface waters will
continue to have high bacteria counts for a
couple of days following the incident.
However, the high bacteria levels found in the
vicinity of 73 Street continued for many days
following the sewage break repair. Further
analysis of historical data collected since 2019
indicate that this waterway has chronically
elevated bacteria levels.
Since May 2020, the City has conducted ..
regular water quality testing in the canal and
multitiered investigations to identify possible
sources. The investigations performed to
date have not identified any deficiencies
within the city's public infrastructure.
In October and November, the City hired
Source Molecular to complete source tracking
analysis to identify fecal gene biomarkers for · ·
humans and/or canines at four locations within
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To leorn more about the city's cleon waler
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KeepMBClean .com
M IAMI BEACH
the canal. The results indicated that fecal . .
coliform from humans was not detected or was detected in quantities below the limit of
quantification and fecal coliform for canines had high concentrations throughout the
area . Thus, outreach efforts began to educate the public and encourage people to pick-
up after their animals
To date the City has spent over $75,000 on investigations, water quality sampling,
contracting a third party to perform an unbiased investigation, in performing additional
cleaning and maintenance in the stormwater system, and education and outreach.
In June 2021, the City conducted DNA source tracking to determine the source of the
bacteria. Results indicate that canine (dog) fecal matter is the major source of bacteria
causing the poor water quality conditions in the area. Human fecal matter was not
detected in the waterway.
The City has met with and shared the water quality sampling and investigation results with
Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and the
Florida Department of Health. The regulators concur that reducing inputs from canine
sources is necessary to remediate the chronic high fecal indicator bacteria. The regulators
have recommended that the City increase enforcement and communication regarding dog
waste in the neighborhood adjacent to the waterway.
The City encourages dog owners to pick up after their pets to help alleviate the high counts
of bacteria. Public Works Sanitation Division will be installing additional doggie bag stations
throughout the neighborhood and Code Compliance will be issuing citations to pet owners
who do not pick-up after their dogs . Concurrently, the City is continuing to investigate if the
high bacteria levels are naturally occurring environmental conditions including flow
conditions, wildlife and marine vegetation. The City is also working with DERM to see if a
pilot aeration project is feasible in this location to improve water quality.
In furtherance to the request of DERM on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, the City sent out a
notice through constant contact and Nextdoor with an updated advisory (Attachment A). This
information is also posted on the City 's website www.mbrisingabove.com/climate-
adaptation/biscayne-bay .
Since the notice, residents have expressed concerns regarding water discharging into Indian
Creek from a condominium along Bay Drive located on the southeast side of Normandy Isle .
Public Works has investigated and has confirmed that the source is not from a sewer or
water break and the Building Department has confirmed that the water being discharged is
associated with the building's permitted mechanical systems.
We will continue to provide you and the public with regular updates as additional
information becomes available. Should you have any questions, please contact
Elizabeth Wheaton, Environment & Sustainability Director, at
elizabethwheaton@miamibeachfl .gov.
Attachment A: ~ug~st 3, 2021 Advisory
A TH/ETC/ AK/r;;;;;M B/KM P
Kayak Launch at 73 Street Advisory ATTACHMENT A
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Kayak Launch at 73 Street Advisory
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
There is currently a "no contact 13 77 th St u
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waterway adjacent to the ~ t
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kayak launch at 73 Street due §
to levels of fecal indicator -~,., '->I
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bacteria above recreationa I 13
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swim standards. The city has o °' o \ 'l'
conducted DNA source tracking 1.a,.,s1 ~
to determine the source of the O .,C i
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Results indicate that canine ISiand
(dog) fecal matter is the ~ @
major source of bacteria 13
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causing the poor water ~ ., ·,':), ? [ quality conditions in the -t ! area. Human fecal matter ,.,,._....;!~ c.t
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.~• 71st St 13 fl was not detected. ~ '.0 .. ., "~ ~
We need your help! Picking up after your pet prevents fecal bacteria from
entering the groundwater and stormwater system through rain run-off. This
month, the city will increase enforcement and will issue fines, please expect
increased presence of Code Compliance officers.
Remember, it's the law!
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Kayak Launch at 73 Street Advisory Page 2 of 3
Chapter 10 of the City Code requires the removal of animal defecation.
• For a first offense, a $50 fine.
• For a second offense within the preceding 12 months, a $100 fine.
• For each additional offense within the preceding 12 months, a $200 fine.
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The city has seven doggie bag stations located throughout the area (map
above).
Want your own bag dispenser?
Contact the Environment and Sustainability Department for your free doggie
bag dispenser. Please email MitcheDalberiste@miamibeachfl.gov to
request a dispenser.
The "no contact with the water" advisory is still in effect, please do your part
to keep our waterways clean and safe. Pick up after your pet!
0 0 ·
v1s1r ~-MIAMI BEACH FL. GOV
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