MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A major, long-term cleanup effort is underway on the Treasure Coast aimed at reducing polluted runoff flowing into the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River, according to state and federal water managers.
The work is part of the Indian River Lagoon–South Restoration Project, led by the South Florida Water Management District in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
According to SFWMD project documents, the goal is to capture and treat polluted runoff before it reaches the lagoon, using new canals, reservoirs, and stormwater treatment areas designed to clean water upstream rather than allowing it to flow directly into sensitive waterways.
One of the largest components is the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area, which SFWMD says is designed to store and treat runoff from the C-44 basin and reduce nutrient pollution before water is released downstream into the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.
Federal planning documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers state the broader restoration effort is intended to reduce sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loads entering the St. Lucie River Estuary and the southern Indian River Lagoon by treating runoff from multiple canal basins before discharge.
The overall restoration effort is expected to cost billions of dollars over multiple decades, with funding shared between the federal government, the State of Florida, and local partners, as outlined in state and federal planning documents.
Local fishermen and environmental advocates say they are hopeful the projects will eventually lead to cleaner water, but officials caution the improvements will take time. State and federal agencies say residents should not expect overnight changes, noting the restoration plan is designed to deliver long-term water quality improvements.