The Indian River Lagoon’s blue-green, ocean-infused waters between Fort Pierce’s north and south bridges will see less dark, polluted discharges from Taylor Creek.
At least that’s the idea behind the state’s fourth and newest “water farm,” which will cost South Florida taxpayers $61.3 million over the next 10 years.
All that stormwater runoff, mostly from urban development and western-county farms, is now being pumped onto a private farm that will operate and maintain the state project.
When it rains, three diesel pumps can pull 45,000 gallons per minute from the C-25 Canal and flood 97% of the 7,600-acre water farm, where it will evaporate and percolate into the soil.