7.6: Improve our sewer, water, and stormwater systems to protect the health of our Bay and residents, and stimulate our economy

Issue Statement and Context

In Miami-Dade, we have an aging and underfunded water infrastructure that leaves many of our communities vulnerable to extreme weather, floods, and water contamination – a situation that is exacerbated by the need to manage sea level rise and improve the water quality of our Bay.

Approximately 120,000 properties, both in residential and commercial areas, are served by septic systems and are not connected to the County’s sanitary sewer system. Given the impacts of climate change on rising groundwaters and the frequency of floods, many of these septic systems are increasingly failing. This situation could cause property damage and also create health risks and environmental contamination to our underground aquifer, which is the County's primary source of drinking water.

Failing septic systems and challenges with stormwater runoff are also increasingly affecting the health of the Bay, which supports industries in Miami-Dade County such as tourism, commercial, and recreational fishing, and other water-based recreational activities. The health of Biscayne Bay is inextricably linked to the environmental and economic well-being of Miami-Dade County.

Water facility. — *Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Facility*

The County has taken steps to improve our sewer, water, and stormwater systems. The Board created the Biscayne Bay Task Force, which issued a report in 2020 that identified problem areas, prioritized projects, and provided recommendations regarding state and federal legislation, activities, and appropriations. Following recommendations from the Task Force, the Mayor appointed a Chief Bay Officer, who has so far launched and helped to advance a series of initiatives and policy efforts focused on the health of the Bay. These initiatives include ongoing public education campaigns, working on greater coordination with municipalities, academic institutions, and environmental organizations, as well as reviewing potential funding sources to allocate to Biscayne Bay restoration.

The Chief Bay Officer and the Task Forice are exploring collaborations with other governments and partner agencies. These collaborations include public-private financing arrangements that center community-based partnerships and increase economic opportunities for local businesses and workers. The County also adopted a series of resolutions, including one to update the Biscayne Bay Economic Study, which will assist with developing future initiatives of preserving the Bay.

Going forward, given anticipated state and federal investment in infrastructure, Miami-Dade has an opportunity to equitably address water challenges that have been creating public health risks and impeding local development and overall economic growth in communities across the County.

Detailed Action Summary

Expand septic-to-sewer conversion and other water infrastructure upgrades to generate equitable economic opportunities for local small businesses and residents. These public infrastructure improvements will support enterprises with the potential to help position Miami-Dade at the center of a global industry for "blue" technology and innovation.

- Launch mitigating actions to counter septic system impacts, including prohibiting construction/installation of new septic systems, and promoting proper septic system maintenance.
- Update stormwater designs to improve effectiveness.
- Review, develop (as needed), implement, and enforce local ordinances and policies to reduce the cumulative effect of excess nutrient runoff entering Biscayne Bay; attain goals set forth in Watershed Restoration Plan.
- Articulate funding and financing strategies – such as bonds, grants, and loans – to facilitate the conversion of septic to sewer conversion across Miami-Dade.
- Invest in septic-to-sewer conversion and stormwater demonstration programs.
- Strengthen County requests for funding from federal and state partners related to Biscayne Bay; conduct analysis to support how the County can maximize investment of the 40% of federal funds that are to be dedicated to disadvantaged communities, according to federal guidance.
- Develop a plan that prioritizes the retrofit of stormwater infrastructure with commitments to utilization of local, small, and minority-owned businesses, and align with mentor-protégé, workforce development, and local revitalization programs.
- Support research to bolster social equity in public-private water infrastructure investment and explore community-based approaches to public-private financing models. Engage philanthropy on the potential to leverage program-related investments to experiment with equity-centered infrastructure investment strategies and provide proofs of concept to other investors.
- Engage and explore partnerships with organizations that incubate "blue tech" entrepreneurs and develop innovation pipelines that diversify the industry.

7.6: Improve our sewer, water, and stormwater systems to protect the health of our Bay and residents, and stimulate our economy

Issue Statement and Context

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Detailed Action Summary

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