Why We Need Your Help to Keep Miami Waters Clean

In 2013, Miami-Dade County signed a $1.6 billion Consent Decree and settlement with the U.S. and state of Florida promising to improve wastewater treatment plants and aging infrastructure (after several violations occurred from 2007-2013) and keep Miami waters clean.

Now, almost four years later, the County is in hot water again over a serious sewage leak. 

A citizen brought the leak to the attention of the Miami Waterkeeper—a non-profit organization dedicated to defending, protecting, and preserving South Florida’s watershed. The latest leak was spilling sewage and harmful chemicals into the Key Biscayne waters for what appears to be at least a year.

Miami Waterkeeper managed to obtain emails from the County that show they were aware of the sewage leak but did nothing to repair it. Once Miami Waterkeeper discovered the leak and the County’s alleged neglect, they filed an intent to sue. Since the filing, the County finally repaired the leaking sewage pipe.

While this first battle was won, there is still more to be done. Some of the current pipes in the county are over 60 years old and corroding. Uncovered emails from the County also revealed it’s been a decade since the sewage pipes were inspected.

Miami Waterkeeper is now launching an initiative asking for support to keep our Miami waters and local environment clean. They want to make sure a full inspection of the pipes takes place and ensure another leak is prevented.

Our team here at Grove Properties and Oxford Build is a proud supporter of Miami Waterkeeper and our founder Marcelo Fernandes is on the board of trustees. It’s important for us to keep our community safe and well-protected, which is why we are adamant about supporting the Miami Waterkeeper’s cause.

“I have grown up in the Biscayne Bay waters and frequent it so much that I have also become a licensed captain. I am very concerned our next generations will only see a wasteland below the water surface. Miami Waterkeeper is a very important organization that leads the fight to saving our marine environment and waterways. Supporting their cause is not an option but our obligation.”
– Marcelo Fernandes, Owner and Founder of Grove Properties and Oxford Build

If you’d also like to support this cause or want to find out further details about the latest sewage leak, visit the Miami Waterkeeper website for more information. Every little bit helps to keep our community clean and healthy—together we can make a difference!

All images featured in this post are courtesy of Miami Waterkeeper