Public Education and Outreach
The Brevard County Stormwater Program offers presentations for homeowner associations, businesses, construction industry and schools.
Brevard County Stormwater Program Outreach staff members are available to attend environmental events at which interactive displays and/or presentations are offered.
Homeowner Associations Presentations
Did you know that stormwater runoff is the #1 carrier of pollution to the Indian River Lagoon? Every citizen can take action to reduce the polluted discharge and a representative from the Brevard County Watershed Management Program can tell you how!
"Healthy Habits For Clean Water" is a presentation available to be offered at your homeowners' association meeting or other civic club gatherings. To schedule a presentation please call 321-633-2016 or email Carlos Cuevas at carlos.cuevas@brevardfl.gov
The presentations share responsible practices to use at home to prevent pollution, such as:
- Yard Waste Tips
- Fertilizer and Pesticide Tips
- Mulching
- Sprinklers and Downspouts
- Car Care
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Pet Care
Florida Friendly Landscaping
The intent of Florida-Friendly Landscaping is to use the Right Plant/Right Place approach to selecting plants and to adopt sustainable maintenance practices and materials to conserve water and reduce the impact of stormwater run-off on local water bodies.
Please consider the following Florida Friendly Landscape Guides:
Information for Business
Preventing Pollution
Stormwater pollution is one of the most serious challenges we face in protecting the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Pollutants that enter storm drains flow directly to the nearest creek or canal, and from there, into the lagoon.
We encourage businesses to help prevent stormwater pollution by monitoring loading docks, storage and work areas, parking lots, equipment, and general practices that could allow chemicals, solvents, eroded soils, and other materials to enter ditches or storm drains.
Energy Conservation
In today’s competitive market, it makes good sense to work as efficiently as possible. Energy conservation strategies for business present opportunities to improve your company’s bottom line while also helping to decrease the carbon footprint of your operation.
Water Conservation
Businesses that implement water-efficiency measures can reduce water and sewer costs up to 30 percent. Significant savings in energy, chemical and maintenance expenses are also possible.
When your business conserves water, you save money on your utility bill simply from using less water and generating less wastewater. You'll also save on energy costs from pumping, heating, and treating less water. And, you should promote your conservation efforts to your customers and clients, there are added benefits in the positive publicity that stems from your environmental protection efforts.
Waste Reduction/Recycling
Businesses and corporations are evaluated on many aspects of their performance, including their environmental stewardship. Implementing waster reduction and recycling efforts can reduce your business’ impact on the environment and demonstrates to customers that your business cares about the environment.
Information for the Construction Industry
Permit Requirements
To comply with state permit requirements, every construction activity that disturbs one or more acres of land is required to to have erosion and sediment control. All construction requires a stormwater permit. Please request the Contractor's Stormwater Guide for acquiring a permit.
The Department of Environmental Protection has a new Urban Best Management Practices (BMP) Performance Tool. This Urban Stormwater BMP Performance Tool has been developed to provide stormwater professionals with easy access to approximately 220 studies assessing the performance of over 275 BMP.
Free Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Courses
Stormwater runoff is the #1 source of pollution to the Indian River Lagoon and sediment from erosion of construction sites is a major contributor to the problem. The Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Course is for all contractors and builders.
The goal of the program is to increase the proper design, construction, and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls during construction and to assure the proper long-term operation and maintenance of stormwater systems after construction is completed. The primary program objective is to provide training to private and public employees in various construction related fields.
The program curriculum was developed to educate the inspector on proper installation, inspection and maintenance of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for use during and after construction to minimize erosion and sedimentation and to properly manage runoff for both stormwater quantity and quality. Florida’s stormwater program is technology based, using performance standards and BMP design criteria. The use of innovative techniques and specifically designed erosion control systems is encouraged in order to prevent erosion and sedimentation during construction.
For information on class schedules and to download the Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control course manual, visit: Florida Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control course manual.
Green Industries Best Managment Practices Certification Classes
Green Industry professionals should adopt Best Managment Practices (BMPs) to reduce amount of fertilizers, pesticides, and yard waste that pollute our precious water resources. Green Industries BMP certification classes are available at 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa. $30 fee includes lunch and program materials. Online class pre-registration is required.
School Presentations
The Brevard County Watershed Management Program offers FREE school presentations, "Protecting Our Water Resources", interactive sessions designed to educate students in kindergarten through ninth grade to understand the definition of water pollution while using principles of science and mathematics. Activities in the presentation focus on four main types of stormwater pollutants: sediments, nutrients, bacteria and toxins.
- Enviroscape Interactive Presentations: Illustrate to students how non-point source pollutants generated from every day activities have a negative effect on water quality in local water bodies.
- Stop Poo-lution: Pet Waste and Water Quality, cause and effect are explained through a brief presentation, then students "roll play" to see how easy it is to "scoop the poop."
- Learning to Love Florida Wetlands: Using sight and sound, students learn the value of Florida's wetlands as habitat, flood protection and storm water management.
Please note the following:
- Teachers must remain in the classroom during the entire presentation.
- Programs can be used in social studies.
- Customized presentations are available to meet your classroom needs.
- Correlation to the Florida Sunshine State Standards is available for each program.
To schedule a presentation, please contact us at 321-633-2016.
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