GOVERNMENT
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
The cleaning and filtering ponds, outlined in red, are shown in relation to
the whole preserve.
42.3 billion gallons flowing from canal to river each year, the
mayor said.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are major nutrients that feed
algae growth in the rivers. Some algae is toxic and can cause
respiratory distress, illness and rashes in humans. It can kill
fish by depriving them of oxygen. It can cling to boats and
docks and make the water unsafe for swimming and boating.
And all of that damages the local economy.
The canals, which drain large areas of land, have both nutrients
in abundance. The reservoirs will keep 90,000 pounds
of nitrogen and 18,500 pounds of phosphorus out of the rivers.
When enough fresh water enters the St. Lucie River and
the Indian River Lagoon it can block the tide from flushing
the rivers.
“We grew up eating fish out of the St. Lucie River and
the Indian River,” said Donald Stiller, a native Floridian in
a video produced by the city. “And now you see fish with
lesions, you see unhealthy fish, you see skinny fish. We want
the water to be pretty, to be swimmable, to be able to wash
AYCOCK
FUNERAL HOME
BYRD, YOUNG AND PRILL CHAPEL 772-879-9300
14 Port St. Lucie Magazine
>>
COSTS:
Total for design, permitting, construction: $8 million.
Annual operating and maintenance cost: $181,000
/www.aycockportstlucie.com
