R9AD - Authorize Sewer Review, Fund Water Testing

Discussion Items - R9 {{item.number}}

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the following items, as requested by the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (LUSC) at its September 11, 2025 meeting, be brought forward for discussion. These actions are intended to enhance water quality through additional analysis and due diligence, which will require dedicated funding. Furthermore, the Administration is considering the implementation of a nanobubble pilot technology, subject to City Commission approval and anticipated funding at an upcoming meeting.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the September 11, 2025 LUSC meeting, the Environmental and Sustainability (Environmental) and Public Works (Public Works) Departments presented an update on Operation Clean Water, adopted by the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) on March 19, 2025, by Resolution No. 2025-33559. Operation Clean Water was developed in response to the North Beach Water Quality and Park View Canal report, which continues to be a significant priority for the City. The item was sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez, Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, Commissioner Laura Dominguez, Commissioner Joseph Magazine, Mayor Steven Meiner, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, and Commissioner David Suarez. Weekly Letters to Commission (LTC) are provided with updates.

The intent of Operation Clean Water is to aggressively address the street level pollutants entering the stormwater system and impacting Park View Canal water quality as identified in the North Beach Water Quality and Park View Canal report entitled “Assessment of Enterococci in Groundwater and Stormwater at the Miami Beach Park View Canal” led by Helena Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D., P.E., from the University of Miami Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering. The presentation is included as (Attachment A).

At the meeting, LUSC members passed a motion to: 1) Authorize an independent, third-party review of the Sanitary Sewer Pump Station 23; 2) Expand the monthly water quality study to authorize and fund weekly water testing in Park View Canal; 3) Expedite the comprehensive infrastructure study for North Beach; and to maintain Park View Canal as a standing item on the Committee’s agenda for regular updates.

ANALYSIS

The City of Miami Beach is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of its waterways and protection of Biscayne Bay. As documented in local water quality monitoring efforts throughout Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and study literature, urban waterways are susceptible to pollution. Park View Canal is an angled canal within the Tatum Waterway canal, within the broader Biscayne Bay. The canal has limited natural flushing to dilute pollutants associated with urban runoff. Additionally, Biscayne Bay itself is an aquatic preserve with serious water quality concerns from nutrient pollution as outlined in the Biscayne Bay Task Force Report and Recommendations.

The Administration continues to make progress with prioritized improvements funded through City Commission approval to address water quality concerns. The efforts have yielded positive results, with the University of Miami Phase II report highlights significant improvements in water quality. Despite the improvements, the canal still has fecal indicator bacteria concentrations that exceed the 70 MPN/mL recreational water quality standards established by the Florida Department of Health for ocean beach standards for bathing.

The September 11, 2025 LUSC motion included:

1) Authorize an independent, third-party review of the sanitary sewer Pump Station 23

The Committee emphasized the need to confirm that Pump Station 23 is not leaking due to its proximity to the Park View Canal. They requested an independent study, different from Hazen and Sawyer's previous work, to conduct a new review. The Committee also asked for any findings to be promptly addressed. The cost of the independent study has not yet been determined; however, it should not exceed $50,000.

2) Authorize and fund weekly water testing in Park View Canal

The City of Miami Beach conducts monthly water quality sampling that expands upon Miami-Dade County’s Biscayne Bay surface water quality sampling program. The City utilizes the Miami-Dade County contract and it is being determined if the contract can be accessed for weekly sampling in five locations in the Park View Canal.

The sampling locations were added voluntarily by the City as an extension of the larger Biscayne Bay sampling network, which Miami-Dade County has been monitoring every month for more than 40 years. The results are provided to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection each year as part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit Annual Report. The program is separate from the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches Program, which focuses sampling on beaches and utilizes the enterococci level of 70 MPN/mL.

3) Expedite the comprehensive infrastructure study for North Beach

On November 20, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Bhatt, the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) approved item C4H, a referral to the Finance and Resiliency Committee (FERC) to discuss funding for a comprehensive infrastructure study for North Beach.

On January 24, 2025, FERC members held a discussion about the need for an infrastructure study in North Beach as sponsored by Commissioner Bhatt. FERC members made a motion to proceed to the City Commission with a favorable recommendation to consider funding during the FY 26 budget process. The study is not currently recommended for funding as part of the FY 2026 Budget. The estimate for the evaluation is $363,000.

On June 27, 2025, the City Commission approved item R7B, a resolution approving the North Beach Oceanside District – Deauville Development Agreement. The agreement requires the developer to contribute $400,000 towards the North Beach infrastructure study within 30 days of receiving final approval of the private project by the Historical Preservation Board. It is anticipated that this funding will not be available for at least a year or more.

Nanobubbles Technology

Nanobubble technology was identified and reviewed by Environment and Sustainability, Public Works, and the City Manager’s Office as a viable technology for Park View Canal. Nanobubbles are tiny bubbles, less than 200 nanometers in size. Unlike regular bubbles that quickly rise and pop due to buoyancy, nanobubbles can stay suspended in water for a longer period of time thanks to their small size and random motion. These bubbles can be naturally created in places like waterfalls or artificially produced using special generators.

Nanobubbles are beneficial because they dissolve gases, like oxygen, more effectively in water, which helps accelerate various physical, chemical, and biological processes. They also adhere to materials in the water, causing them to clump together, which can prevent the buildup of biofilm and scale. These processes also help clean the water by promoting the breakdown of microbial contaminants, reducing harmful pathogens, algal growth, and bad odors, ultimately improving overall water quality. The technology has been used in the State of Florida and globally, however it has not been used yet in Miami-Dade County.

Additionally, a pre-application meeting was held with the County regulatory staff to confirm that the technology could be permitted. An on-site meeting was held and the small containment unit/station for the technology can be stored securely within the Public Works facility adjacent to the canal. There are no expected impacts to the environmental resources of the Park View Canal or disruptions to the park. The Administration is exploring opportunities to pilot this technology.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

TBD

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the above items, as requested by the LUSC at its September 11, 2025 meeting, be brought forward for discussion. These actions are intended to enhance water quality through additional analysis and due diligence, which will require dedicated funding. Furthermore, the Administration is considering the implementation of a nanobubble pilot technology, subject to Commission approval and anticipated funding at an upcoming meeting..

Applicable Area

North Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Public Works

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt Commissioner David Suarez

Condensed Title

Discuss/Action, LUSC Motion: NB Infrastructure & Water Quality Sampling. (AF/TB/DS) PW

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)