LTC 119-2021 72 Street & Dickens Avenue Water Advisory and Wastewater Infrastructure UpdateDo cu Sign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E5596D172C7
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 17OO Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel; 305-673.701or-... or o ++oo
NO. LTC # 119-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
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DATE: March 18, 2020
3/21/2021 I 4:11 PM EDT
SUBJECT: 72 Street & Dickens Avenue Water Advisory and Wastewater Infrastructure Update
The purpose of this L TC is to provide an update on the "No Contact with Water Advisory" placed on the
waterway adjacent to Parkview Island in the vicinity of 72 Street and an overview of the City's wastewater
program.
72Street &_Dickens Avenue later Advisory Update
On March 4, 2020 Jaffer Wells Drilling, a sub-contractor for Hy-Power, struck a 42-inch sanitary sewer
main near the intersection of 17 Street and Lincoln Road. This event caused increased pressure
throughout the sanitary system and on March 5, 2020 caused a sewer force main break at the parking
lot at 72 Street and Collins Avenue. Following the break, sewage recovery and cleaning efforts began
immediately and continued for approximately one week after the spill. Water quality testing began on
March 6, 2020 to identify impacts to the surrounding surface waters. The City utilizes Pace Analytical, an
accredited laboratory under the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) to
complete laboratory analysis of water quality results.
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 counts continued many
days following the sewage break repair and further analysis of historical data indicate that this waterway
has chronically elevated bacteria levels beyond those caused by the sewer break.
At the end of March, due to COVID-19, sampling was suspended for this area and an on-going "No
Contact Advisory" was issued. Sig nage was posted at the kayak launch, notices were issued via the city's
Neighborhood Affairs Division team, and information was posted on the city's website
(http://www.mbrisingabove.com/climate-adaptation/water-quality-2/).
On May 7, 2020, water quality testing in the canal and investigations resumed. The Public Works
Operations Division, along with the Environment and Sustainability Department identified possible
sources of cross-contamination in the area along with site specific conditions that negatively impact the
area. The following were identified as potential sources of bacteria:
• Siphon (underwater sewer pipe) between Parkview Island and 7 Street
• Abandoned force main from North Bay Village
• Abandoned overflow from Sewer Pump Station No. 23
• Human waste from homeless community
DocuSign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E5596D172C7
• Animal waste
• Slow movement of water along the canal, possibly limiting "flushing" effect
Since May the team has been working to test multiple theories related to these potential sources. This
process is labor intensive and slow. Efforts to isolate potential sewer leaks have included multiple dye
tests to isolate potential sewer leaks, deep cleaning of the stormwater lines, water quality testing
throughout the stormwater system, sediment sampling in the canal, CCTV inspections and smoke testing
to determine potential illegal cross connections between private properties sewer lines and the city's
stormwater system. The investigations performed to date have not identified any deficiencies within the
city's public infrastructure.
In October, working collaboratively with Miami-Dade County DERM, a private cross connection between
a property's private wastewater and stormwater systems has been identified at Iris on the Bay, a relatively
new development in the easternmost end of Normandy Isle. The City's Building Department, Public
Works Department and DERM have resolved this matter with the private property. While this property is
not the source of contamination in the vicinity of 72 Street, it does illustrate that cross-connections from
private properties is potentially a source of bacteria.
In October and November, the City hired Source Molecular to complete source tracking analysis to
identify fecal gene biomarker for humans and/or canines at four locations within the canal. The results
indicated that fecal coliform from humans was not
detected, or was detected in quantities below the limit
of quantification. While, fecal coliform for canines had
high concentrations. Thus, outreach efforts began to
educate the public and encourage people to pick-up
after their animals. Educational signs were installed in
the local dog parks, parks, and along the right-of-way
and reusable doggie bag dispensers and flyers were
distributed to residents walking their dogs in the area
as well as to local veterinarians and dog groomers
(Attachment A). To build on this campaign, this month
the City is launching a multitiered campaign utilizing
bus shelters, water bills, digital advertising, and direct
mailings.
In November, the City retained ESciences, a third-party
consultant specializing in environmental and ecological
investigations, to conduct a thorough analysis of the
data and investigations to date and provide a road map
forward in the illicit discharge detection and elimination.
Concurrently, smoke testing and CCTV inspections
have also been performed to determine potential illegal
cross connections between private property sewer lines
and the city's stormwater system.
To date the city has spent over $55,000.00 on
investigations, water quality sampling, contracting a
third party to perform an unbiased investigation, and in
performing additional cleaning and maintenance in the
stormwater system.
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
CLEAN UP AFTER
YOUR DG. e
... BRING A DISPOSABLE BAG ON WALKS I •• 3 CURB YOUR DOG I TELL A FRIEND
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To learn more about the city's clean water
efforts and how you can help keep them pristine visit:
KeepMBClean.com
MIAMI BEACH
DocuSign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E55960172C7
Next Steps
This is an on-going investigation and conclusive source(s) of the high bacteria is yet to be confirmed.
Over the upcoming weeks, the City will continue to work with ESciences to complete a comprehensive
water quality analysis of the area. The purpose of this sampling is to understand bacteria count fluctuation
in relationship to tidal and weather conditions.
The City is continuing to educate the public on the importance of picking-up after their dogs. Recognizing
the high bacteria counts may also be a result of a failure or illegal connection, the City has and will
continue to investigate potential causes until a solution is found.
There are two "No Contact with Water Advisory" A-frame signs located at the only public kayak launch.
To prevent the public from entering the waterway, barriers have been placed on the kayak ramp and it
will remain physically closed until the water quality samples indicate that it is safe to swim.
Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Update
The City of Miami Beach owns, operates, and maintains its water distribution and the wastewater
collection and transmission systems. A large percentage of these systems were constructed when the
City was first established and grew over time as the City was developed. A water and wastewater system
that is properly designed, constructed, and maintained is designed to last between 50 and 100 years.
Lack of proper maintenance, natural disasters, irresponsible construction activities and accelerated
developments can shorten the life of these assets and/or reduce their efficiency.
Recognizing the increasing need to strategically invest in the water and sewer utility, the Public Works
Department retained Hazen and Sawyer to develop a comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan (the
Plan) released in October 2019, to prioritize water and wastewater projects over the next 25 years. The
City's Public Works Department and the Hazen and Sawyer team analyzed and mapped the existing
systems to determine capacity needs and develop a project prioritization schedule. In 2020, the Mayor
and City Commission approved $122.2M to implement the identified 5-yr critical needs. These projects
will be funded by $72M from the city's water and wastewater utility revenues or previous bond issuances
and the remaining $50.2M will be funded through the issuance of new bonds.
The implementation of this Plan has multiple benefits including:
• Ensuring adequate fire suppression capabilities
• Implementing properly sized water and sewer service to residents and visitors
• Accommodating a sustainable growth by adapting the water supply and sewer collection system
for additional flows
• Reducing the amount of sewer overflows that have the potential of affecting our health and that
of the environment.
• Providing redundancies to the transmission and wastewater collection system to improve the
City's emergency response capabilities.
To date, the City has retained four design consultants to develop construction documents to implement
approximately $25M worth of infrastructure upgrades. These projects are expected to break ground as
early as winter 2021.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E5596D172C7
We will continue to provide you and the public with regular updates as additional information becomes
available. Should you have any questions, please contact Roy Coley, Public Works Director, at
roycoley@miamibeachfl.gov or Elizabeth Wheaton, Environment & Sustainability Director, at
el izabethwheaton@miamibeachfl.gov.
Zas
ATH/RWC/ESW /RDT /ME
Attachments
A: Be a Good Neighbor Dog Flyer
DocuSign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E5596D172C7
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BE A GOD NEIGHBOR.
CLEAN UP AFTER
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To learn more about the city's clean water
efforts and how you can help keep them pristine visit:
KeepMBClean.com
MIAMI BEACH
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, DocuSign Envelope ID: 358DF234-457F-476B-9E56-7E5596D172C7
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG
Since March 2020, the City of Miami Beach has imposed a "no contact with the water"
advisory by the waterway adjacent to the kayak launch ot 73 Street. Alter extensive
sampling and testing, results indicate that canine [dog) fecal matter is the major source of
bacteria causing the poor water quality conditions in the area.
The advisory is still in effect, and we need your help to keep our waterways clean
and safe.
What we are doing?
• On-going investigations of potential illegal connections
• Regular water quality testing
• Education and outreach
What you can do?
• Pick up alter your dog by using the pet waste stations
located throughout the neighborhood.
• Spread the word! Share this with your neighbors.
Chapter 1O of the City Code requires the removal
of animal defecation.
(1) For a first offense, a $50 fine.
(2) For a second offense within the preceding
12 months, a $100 fine.
(3) For each additional offense within the
preceding l2 months, a $200 fine.
BEA GOOD
OR,
AFTER
YOUR
DOG
MIAMI BEACH