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The City of Miami Beach continues efforts to improve the water quality of Park View Canal with Operation Clean Water. The University of Miami Phase II study highlighted a significant improvement in water quality results between storm events at low tide since intense mitigation efforts such as the lining of public sanitary sewer lines and air release valve replacements. The study advises that rainwater picking up street level pollutants and entering the stormwater system is the primary driver of water quality concerns. Additional strategies are underway. Efforts include more frequent street sweepings along with increased storm drain cleaning. Additional innovative measures such as ultraviolet light disinfection and downstream defenders are being installed to reduce litter in stormwater runoff. Below is an update on Operation Clean Water.

Sewer Rehabilitation

Beginning in August, the City has been working with Miami Dade Public Schools to secure an access agreement to conduct CCTV inspections and rehabilitation work on the sewer lateral mains underneath Biscayne Beach Elementary School. The sewer and lateral lines underneath the school have been identified as a potential hot spot for contamination in the Park View Canal.



This work began August 8 before school classes started; the work has now shifted to night and weekends to avoid interfering with classes and school operations. The rehabilitation of the lateral lines includes cleaning, removal of debris, rust and tuberculation as well as point repairs and subsequent pipe lining. Rehabilitating the outdated cast iron materials of the sewer laterals with new lining will prevent exfiltration into the groundwater and stormwater systems and will reduce contamination entering the bay. The contractor Vortex Companies has been updating the building plans with the correct locations of the lateral lines, and the project is now expected to be completed in mid-September. 

Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Pilot

The pilot study for UV sanitation lights began on Friday, September 5 and will last for several weeks. This pilot will be conducted on 73 street, a street identified as a hot spot and will be separated into 3 segments to control and test the effectiveness of the UV lights. The pilot study will monitor the 3 segments, one with no cleaning, one with just street sweeping and the other with street sweeping and UV disinfectant. Mobile sprinklers are used to simulate rainfall and stormwater runoff after each of the cleanings. Samples will be collected from each and analyzed to determine the program's effectiveness. UV light has been shown to eliminate bacteria colonies and does not contaminate the water or surrounding environment with additional chemicals. 

Stormwater Management

In the beginning of August, Miami-Dade County Environmental Resource Management approved Class II permits for seven Downstream Defenders. The City is now moving forward with the final design and procurement; installation is planned for the first quarter of 2026. Downstream Defenders have been installed in other parts of Miami Beach to minimize pollutants from stormwater runoff. More information about Downstream Defenders can be found here.

The City has been continuing with cleanouts of the stormwater catch basins from 72 to 77 streets. These structures have already been cleaned three times this year and will have two more cleanings by the end of the year. This is four times more than mandated by the National Pollutant Discharge Eliminating System (NPDES) permit and a large

increase from the previous years.

Street Sanitation

Alternate side parking has been in effect from 67 to 73 streets, between Harding Avenue and Indian Creek Drive, in North Beach. On selected days between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. vehicles parked along the selected streets are required to relocate so the street sweepers have access to the curb for the entire length of the block. For now, the citations do not carry a fine.

The City is continuing with outreach and information campaigns about proper waste disposal. This includes continuing with the signage and fliers for pet waste, grease traps, and litter. Now the city is expanding this campaign with wrapping display messages on the sides of waste collection vehicles. These wraps include messages from the “Don’t be Trashy” and “FROG can Clog” campaigns. Keep an eye out for the newly wrapped garbage trucks!

More Information

Please visit the Operation Clean Water website to read about the project, commission updates and FAQ's. www.mbrisingabove.com/WaterQuality

For more information, please contact the North Beach Neighborhood Affairs Coordinator, Nicholas Levy at nicholaslevy@miamibeachfl.gov.

To learn more about the city’s projects and innovative initiatives, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/NAD.

To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (5-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) (voice), select 1 (English) or 2 (Spanish) and leave a message with your request. TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service). You can also make requests online at www.miamibeachfl.gov/ada by selecting ADA request.