Also, floating debris collects at the upriver side of the salinity dams and this would be an ideal place to remove debris prior to opening the dam and flushing the trash into the River and Bay. All property owners that have septic tanks have been notified of the new sanitary sewer lines recently installed along the River. Owners are required to connect to the sewer lines vice utilize septic tanks. Miller stated this would positively affect the dredging efforts, because another source of contamination will be eliminated. The Water and Sewer Department pointed out that since deterioration of the systems is ongoing, so is the maintenance.
Maintenance is a major effort and expense.
In the majority of locations, the dye testing did not reveal problems with the sewer system. In addition, DERM conducted coliform testing in the upper Wagner Creek areas and found high levels of coliform, but they don t feel it was due to the produce in the Allapattah market. DERM stressed it was spot testing and was not a comprehensive testing protocol. The next meeting was scheduled for 10 am, Wednesday Oct 18, at the Miami River Inn. The meeting was adjourned.