Stormceptors - What’s the big deal anyway?

At a recent budget workshop, the $10,000 line item for money to maintain stormceptors around Cedar Key came up for debate. Stormwhat? And why?
The Cliff Note version is this:

Stormwater cannot run directly into the Gulf because along the way it picks up oils, pesticides and other contaminants. So, stormcepters were installed (thanks to a grant by the Suwannee River Water Management District) in the late 1990s and old stormdrains were updated.

This expensive and important gift came with a condition...the City of Cedar Key had to maintain these filtration systems and log the maintenance. However, the city Public Works Department`s attention to these items fell well short of what was expected. If, and when, they were inspected and cleaned, it was rarely logged and one former employee even cemented one flap shut.

Storm Drain

After the recent road and utility repair projects, the plan was to video the condition of the stormwater pipes and clean them out. However, the company hired to video tape was unable to do so because so many of the pipes were either clogged or in disrepair.

So what does this all have to do with a $10,000 line item in the budget? Simple.

If everyone in Cedar Key would be diligent about not letting grass clippings, leaves, palm fronds, sand and other debris to get into the gutters (and consequently into the stormceptors) then the city would not have to set aside and pay as much each year for the maintenance of them.

Our exeptionally clean water and the fact that we have a sewer treament system and (not septic tanks) is one of the reasons Cedar Key has water of a good enough quality to grow farm-raised clams.

Keeping the water clean even allowed 5,000 acres of submerged land to be re-opened to clam farmers. This does not happen by accident. It takes diligence and just a little bit of attention and care to be sure that nothing but water goes into the gutters and subsequently into the Gulf.

Storm Sceptor

As a result, the city may one day be able to reduce this $10,000 line item but it will take everyone`s cooperation. There will always be a need to suck sand out of the drains and whack off oysters that are trying to grow and clog them up but they should not have to clean up your yard debris.

So, tell your husband, brother, son or yard maintenance man to stop using the gutters as a drain pipe. Grass clippings are a great nutrient for your turf grass, so just let it lie and keep it out of the gutters. If you see debris, rake or sweep it up. Is there a drink cup or food wrapper laying there? Pick it up. It`s either pay now with a little effort or pay later on your tax bill.