This message is to share recent progress and general updates regarding the “No Contact with Water" advisory that remains in place for Park View Canal. The City continues to move forward with prioritized improvements to the above-ground sanitation, below-ground infrastructure, additional research conducted by the University of Miami (UM), and canal dredging design and permitting evaluations.

Water sampling results continue to show a fecal indicator bacteria concentration that exceeds recreational water quality standards established by the Florida Department of Health. The advisory recommends not swimming or engaging in recreational water activities (i.e. fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.) along the waterway until the advisory is lifted. The City of Miami Beach continues to work closely with water quality experts and governmental regulatory agencies to address the water quality concerns in this waterway. 

The City has increased inspections and services. Code Compliance continues focusing on proactive patrols while enforcing the cleanup of pet waste, Parks & Recreation continues their roaming patrols, and Environment & Sustainability staff alongside the Public Works Operations team continue to work with Homeless Outreach on their increased routine site visits. Sweeping and hand litter collection continue on Park View Island and additional pet waste dispensers were installed in high-traffic areas.

The City Commission unanimously passed item C7 L at the December 13, 2023 City Commission meeting, which authorized the Administration to procure the services of Dr. Solo-Gabriele to conduct a post-study after the implementation of short-term actions. The Phase II data collection by UM has been completed and is currently being compiled and analyzed. The following has been conducted as part of the study: 

• Collected stormwater before catch basins (catch system under grate before basin) to determine how much fecal bacteria is coming from the streets vs groundwater. 
• Sampled groundwater directly utilizing direct push technology for samples of upper groundwater to determine the background levels of fecal bacteria. 
• Tested within catch basins with biomarker source tracking (i.e. bird, dog, human) to determine how much fecal bacteria is coming into the system and from which source. 
• Analyzed groundwater elevations to tie the elevation of the canal to groundwater, along with a comparison to pipe elevations. 
• Reviewed and updated the City’s historical data with information and testing that has been made available since the Phase I study concluded, from both Surfrider’s Bluewater Task Force and the City’s datasets. 

The final report is due in January 2025. The results of the study will be shared with the community at a public workshop and City Commission once the final report is completed.

Additionally, the City Commission approved the prioritization of funding of mid and long-term action items under item C7 N at the March 13, 2024 Commission Meeting. The City continues to work on the following Short to Mid-Term Actions:

Short – Mid Term Actions Include: 

• Sanitary Sewer System Upgrades: The Phase II North Beach and Park View Extended Area project is 80% complete. As part of Phase II, the City has conducted Closed-Circuit Television studies and lined the sewer lines from 73 to 76 Street as well as rehabilitated manholes where needed. Approximately 65% of the lining has been completed and staff are working diligently with the contractor to have this project finalized by mid January 2025, including all five (5) North Beach pump station wet well rehabilitations.

• Stormwater treatment: $200,000 in funding for design and permitting has been approved to reduce litter from entering the waterway near the canal. This will be achieved by retrofitting the current gravity stormwater system with advanced water quality treatment devices. $2 million has been earmarked for the construction phase of the project for the FY 2025 budget. The Public Works Department completed negotiating the design task with the consultant and the design phase has commenced. The final design and permitting fees for this effort came to a total of $215,000, $15,000 over the estimated budget for this effort.

• Dredging: $500,000 for dredging design and permitting was approved within the current budget for the Park View Canal dredging project. The project aims to improve water exchange rates and remove sediment and marine debris from the canal. The City has contracted T.Y. Lin International to develop the construction documents necessary for the project, which involves environmental regulatory agency-required bathymetric and geotechnical surveys within the waterways. Bathymetric and geotechnical surveys are complete and were compiled by the consultant’s engineering team to conduct a flushing analysis. The results of these evaluations are being carefully reviewed for desired water quality outcomes and the appropriate next steps which may include application submittals to the regulatory permitting agencies.

• Sanitation: Hand crew and mechanical sweeping continue three times a week within Park View Island. The Sanitation team hand crew also conducts detail cleaning once a week from 71 street to 75 street. Most recently, the City has installed five additional doggie bag dispensers in the area of 71 street to 75 street to encourage proper disposal of pet waste and assist with above-ground cleanliness.

To learn more about the water quality within the Park View Canal and view the full action plan, please visit www.mbrisingabove.com/Parkview. Staff will also continue to engage the community through updates on current progress of the aforementioned projects. 

How Can You Help

• Avoid using fertilizers (banned May 15 to Nov 1), pesticides, or herbicides on your lawns. When it rains, these can flow into the storm drain.
• Don’t blow or rake leaves and lawn clippings into the street that can end up in the storm drain or nearby waterways.
• Keep your trash cans covered with lids.
• Pick up after your pets.
• If you see pollution via discharge report it to 305.673.7625
• If you see something, say something!

Who to Contact

For questions and comments please contact Kevin Pulido, Neighborhood Affairs Division Director at KevinPulido@miamibeachfl.gov.

To learn more about the water quality within the Park View Canal please visit www.mbrisingabove.com/Parkview