District-funded project improves water quality in St. Andrew Bay

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2015
CONTACT: NWFWMD Public Information Office (850) 539-2663 or Jim.Lamar@yopmail.com

District-funded project improves water quality in St. Andrew Bay

HAVANA – The city of Panama City recently completed a project that will improve the quality of water in St. Andrew Bay. Using a nearly $1 million grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the city installed 15 pollutant separators in an ongoing effort to improve the water quality in the bay.

“Protecting and preserving the quality of water in St. Andrew Bay remains one of the District’s highest priorities,” District Governing Board Chairman George Roberts said. “Removing excess nutrients from stormwater before it reaches the bay is one of the best ways we can make a positive impact on this waterbody which means so much to the local economy.”

After securing $931,774 in grant funding from the District last year, the city began work on reducing the amount of pollutants in the stormwater runoff from 291 acres of downtown Panama City.

Two pollutant separators were installed at the Millville Waterfront Park on Maple Avenue to treat stormwater runoff before it discharges into Watson Bayou and, ultimately, St. Andrew Bay. Additional separators were installed throughout the downtown area to help protect other bayous that eventually feed the bay.

Those pollutant separators now remove 87 percent of the phosphorus and 47 percent of the nitrogen contained in the stormwater runoff as well as nearly 90 percent of sediments. The reduction of sediments will also minimize the need for costly dredging projects to maintain boating access in the bayous.

“These pollutant separators improve the health of our bayous and St Andrew Bay by removing the nutrients that contribute to algae growth,” said Neil Fravel, public works director for Panama City. “This reduction of algae allows sunlight to reach our sea grass beds which are crucial to the overall health and productivity of our estuaries. The support and funding provided by the Northwest Florida Water Management District has allowed Panama City to significantly advance these projects and translate them from an engineering goal to an environmental accomplishment.”

This project is part of the District’s ongoing effort to improve the quality of water in St. Andrew Bay. Beginning in 2013, the District committed $3.8 million for stormwater-improvement projects in the St. Andrew Bay watershed.

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