Volusia Approves Ariel Canal Improvement Project

Oak Hill, FL – Volusia County Council members vote to approve a grant match of $900,000 that is earmarked for a water quality improvement project in the southern part of the county. The project in question involves the Ariel Canal, which is identified within the Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance plan. According to a presentation from Bern Bartlett, Volusia County Road & Bridge director, the aim of the project is to provide a nutrient load reduction to the base flow and stormwater runoff conveyed by Ariel Canal prior to its discharge into the Mosquito Lagoon. To do all that, crews will have to relocate an existing upstream diversion weir, modify two existing stormwater ponds, and construct an inter-event treatment system, which is expected to remove about 1,300 pounds of total nitrogen a year and 210 pounds of total phosphorus a year. So far, the estimated construction cost is $1.8 million, half of which will be funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Management (FDEP) while the rest comes from Volusia’s Stormwater Utility funding. However, Bartlett said they are looking for additional grant opportunities to reduce how much the county will pay. The designs and permitting for the project are also nearing completion. Bartlett said they anticipate putting the project out for bidding in January 2021.