Campaign Targets Blue Spring Springshed Nutrient Pollution

Orange City, FL – Rivers, springs and lakes are considered to be just a few of the many vital parts that make up Volusia County’s natural environment and tourism economy. But they’re also at risk thanks to the effects of pollution, which is what a new public awareness campaign aims to fix. And the centerpiece of Blue Spring State Park, Blue Spring itself, is said to be of particular concern since its water quality is being impaired by the presence of elevated levels of nitrates, which can leach into drinking water sources. But, that’s what Volusia County leaders want to address with a brand new public awareness campaign known as “Time to Change the Way We Go.” The main goal of the campaign is to educate residents on the biggest contributor to pollution in Blue Spring, septic tanks, which contributes about 54% of pollutants found in the Blue Spring Shed, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The county, along with partnered cities in the West Volusia area, have already taken steps to rectify the septic problem with multiple projects that include: Upgrading and expanding capacity at the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility, which is designed to reduce nutrient levels in Blue Spring  Increasing sewer lines in areas that most impact water quality in the Blue Spring springshed Advocating to government agencies to secure funding to help pay for costs of sewer line infrastructure But, they’re still going to need help from residents. With over 41,000 septic tanks in the Blue Spring springshed, county and city leaders are faced with a rather daunting task: convincing owners that even properly functioning, traditional septic systems contribute to the pollution. According to a survey provided in a release from the county, 42% of West Volusia residents believe their septic system has nothing to do with water quality in the area. 53% of residents also indicated that a properly functioning septic system will not contribute to groundwater pollution. “This is a popular misconception,” noted Environmental Management Director Ginger Adair. “Traditional septic systems are designed to protect human health, not reduce nutrient pollution. Properly functioning septic tanks slowly release wastewater containing nutrients into a drain field. When these septic systems are in high densities or high quantities, like we have in Blue Spring springshed and other areas of Volusia County, these nutrients impact our springs.” With this campaign, county leaders and their partners plan to reach out to West Volusia residents through social media, television and print ads, online streaming and direct mail over the next few years. Materials related to the campaign will also teach septic owners that they can reduce their impact to the springshed by upgrading to a nutrient-reducing septic system, making amendments to the septic drain field or hooking up to sewer where it is available. For more information on the campaign, be sure to visit GreenVolusia.org.