Miami-Dade County receives $14.5 million grant to protect Biscayne Bay

Miami-Dade County is receiving a $14.5 million grant for the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Characterization and Pollution Reduction Project, following an announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) this week. This next phase of funding will be allocated to the county’s ongoing septic-to-sewer conversion initiative – Connect 2 Protect – in the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) of Miami-Dade. FDEP guidelines require that the money be used to further the conversion from septic tanks to sewer systems in communities that are both economically disadvantaged and contain septic tank systems at risk of failure from rising groundwater impacts. An additional over $8 million for restoration and other projects was awarded to municipalities within the County.

Resilience funds in the state budget were enhanced and supported with federal dollars provided via the Biden-Harris administration's American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress in 2021.

“These critical funds are going to accelerate Miami-Dade's septic-to-sewer conversion, as we continue to implement climate mitigation and resilience initiatives,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Septic tank systems are particularly at risk of failure as our community sees increased sea level rise, creating greater risk of nutrient pollution in our groundwater and bay. My thanks to the state of Florida for prioritizing the health and wellbeing of Biscayne Bay and our Connect 2 Protect program.”  

The funding originated with a $1 million grant application made by the county in August of 2020 to address the ongoing water quality issues in north Biscayne Bay as demonstrated by the collapse of seagrass communities, the first reported fish kill event in the bay, and the imminent impacts of sea level rise. Projects included wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements and enhanced technology, habitat enhancement and restoration, education, and water quality investigations. That same month, the County Board of Commissioners adopted the Biscayne Bay Task Force report, which outlined seven major issues to be addressed, with water quality at the forefront. By the end of year, with support from state and county leadership to implement the Task Force’s goals, the $1 million allocation was increased to $10 million. The county has continued to partner with the state in advancing these priority projects since the inception of the grant program in 2020, with $12.9 million in funding for a second phase of projects last year and the $14.5 million grant announced today. 

“We know that septic-to-sewer conversions will go a long way in protecting Biscayne Bay,” said Irela Bagué, Miami-Dade's Chief Bay Officer. “Prioritizing vulnerable septic tanks in areas impacted by sea level rise will further prevent nutrient pollution from entering the bay. We are grateful for the continued commitment of our Governor, State Legislature, and agency partners for these investments towards the recovery of Biscayne Bay, the blue heart of our community and the mainstay of our economy.” 

“There are more than 120,000 septic tanks in Miami-Dade County, with 9,000 of those at risk of failure,” said Roy Coley, Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. “We are ready for and committed to the continued expansion of our system to areas that do not have access to reliable and resilient wastewater infrastructure, which protects public health, the environment, and supports economic growth.” 

The grant awarded to Miami-Dade County is part of FDEP’s larger Biscayne Bay Grant Program, which is also providing $2.3 million to the City of North Miami for septic to sewer conversions, $2 million to the City of Coral Gables for Phase I Sanitary Sewer improvements, $2 million to the City of Miami Springs for stormwater infrastructure, $700,000 to the Town of Cutler Bay for wetland restoration, $650,000 to the Village of Key Biscayne for stormwater infrastructure, and $600,000 to Miami River Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization.