"Hey Water Sweepers! I'm Percy — and today we're talking about something most people never think about: stormwater. Every time it rains in Brevard County, millions of gallons of water rush off rooftops, driveways, and lawns — picking up pollution along the way — and flowing straight into the Indian River Lagoon. Let's follow that water!"
Stormwater & the Indian River Lagoon
Every time it rains in Brevard County, millions of gallons of water rush off rooftops, driveways, and lawns, picking up pollution along the way and flowing straight into the Indian River Lagoon. Brevard County averages nearly 90 inches of rainfall annually — enormous amounts of runoff flowing toward the lagoon every rainy season. About 80% of land is developed, and pavement, rooftops, and compacted soil can't absorb water, so developed land generates 5 to 10 times more runoff than natural land. Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated before it reaches the water — whatever it picks up on land goes directly into the IRL. Pesticides, pet waste, motor oil, fertilizers, and trash are all swept up by runoff and delivered to the lagoon with every storm. In this lesson, we'll follow that water from your driveway to the lagoon and learn how to clean it up.
