Check out our Upcoming Events
at the bottom of this page!
(Video Courtesy of the City of Tallahassee - TAPP Program)
Why? Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events
flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is
discharged untreated.
The Water Cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle) is the journey water takes as it circulates from the land to the sky and back again.
The Sun's heat provides energy to evaporate water from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, etc.). Plants also lose water to the air (this is called transpiration). The water vapor eventually condenses, forming tiny droplets in clouds. When the clouds meet cool air over land, precipitation (rain, sleet, or snow) is triggered, and water returns to the land (or sea). Some of the precipitation soaks into the ground. Some of the underground water is trapped between rock or clay layers; this is called groundwater. But most of the water flows downhill as runoff (above ground or underground), eventually returning to the seas as slightly salty water.
Though much has been done to clean our waters, much work remains.
The City of Palm Bay is dedicated to preserving the water quality of the community in order to protect, maintain and enhance the immediate and long term health, safety and general welfare of the citizens in Palm Bay. Through requirements established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the City has identified tasks which will meet these needs.
Here in Palm Bay we live in the Turkey Creek Watershed, the majority of water in Palm Bay either reaches the Indian River Lagoon through Turkey Creek or via direct discharge. Below is a picture of our watershed that might help you visualize how all of the water in our area is connected.
The City of Palm Bay is continually addressing the stormwater runoff issues through many projects and assessments we are working hard to protect our waters for generations to come!
Your Florida Yard and You
The Brevard County UF/IFAS Extension Service and experts for the University of Florida are launching a new project and they need your help! They are conducting a survey of homeowners to determine your landscaping knowledge. They want to help you save both time and money and also improve the health of the environment by using Florida Friendly Landscaping principles. In Palm Bay, the water quality in our lakes, ponds and canals have a direct impact on the health of Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon.
The results of the survey will be used to develop educational programs but they need your help! Your participation is voluntary and you do not have to answer any question that you do not wish to answer. Your answers will be kept confidential to the extent provided by law and your name will not be used in ANY report, only your answers will be used and combined with other respondents’ answers. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
If you prefer not to complete the survey on-line there are printed surveys available upon request.
For your efforts, you will be eligible to pick up a free copy of the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook. All that is needed is an email address so that you can receive a follow-up email that you will need to print and bring with you (to any of the locations listed) to pick up your free copy of the FYN Handbook.
Should you have questions or require additional information please feel free to contact Sally Scalera, Urban Horticulture Agent 321-633-1702.
Thank you in advance for helping the Brevard County UF IFAS Extension office with this very important survey!
For more information on the Florida Friendly Yards and Neighborhood Program check out our Homeowner information tab on the right!
Articles of Interest
Fish Kills what are they, how they happen and you can do to prevent them.
Pesticide and Fertilizer Use: Your lawn probably covers a small piece of land. Combined with other homeowners, however, the environmental contamination can present a major problem!
Pet Waste: It isn’t just water quality that can suffer.......
Rain barrels help to reduce your irrigation costs and lowers the impacts of stormwater on our fragile waterways. Help conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff and recharge the aquifer by keeping rain on your property! The cost to cover supplies of your rain barrel is $45.00. Pre-registration is required as the workshop is strictly limited to 30 participants. Registrations will be only accepted on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 30 participants for each workshop..
To register please use the registration form or contact Kaylene Wheeler, NPDES Coordinator at 321-953-8996 or via e-mail at wheelk@palmbayflorida.org. Please note that we need a minimum of 10 people registered per date to hold the workshops.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector
Training and Certification
FREE 2 day program to obtain state certification and continuing education from FDEP. All course materials will be provided. Class is strictly limited to 50 participants and registration is required! For more information contact Kaylene Wheeler, NPDES Coordinator at 321-953-8996 or via e-mail at wheelk@palmbayflorida.org.
Rain barrels help to reduce your irrigation costs and lowers the impacts of stormwater on our fragile waterways. Help conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff and recharge the aquifer by keeping rain on your property! The cost to cover supplies of your rain barrel is $45.00. Pre-registration is required as the workshop is strictly limited to 30 participants. Registrations will be only accepted on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 30 participants for each workshop..
