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MELBOURNE, Fla. – Construction of a new baffle box at Cherry Street and U.S. 1 is nearing completion, marking the latest step in the City of Melbourne’s ongoing effort to protect the Indian River Lagoon from harmful pollutants.

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Baffle boxes are underground stormwater treatment systems designed to capture debris, trash, and other pollutants that wash off streets during heavy rains. These structures intercept runoff before it can flow into storm drains and waterways, significantly reducing the environmental impact on sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

What sets the Cherry Street installation apart is its added nutrient-removal capability. In addition to trapping solid waste, the system includes features to filter out nitrogen and phosphorus — two of the most damaging pollutants affecting the health of the Indian River Lagoon.

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Once operational, city officials estimate the Cherry Street baffle box will remove approximately 1,017 pounds of nitrogen and 161 pounds of phosphorus from stormwater annually. The system will treat runoff from a roughly 138-acre basin stretching from Babcock Street to the Florida East Coast Railroad right of way, between Babcock Street and Oak Street — an area that was previously developed for commercial use with little stormwater treatment in place.

This project is part of Melbourne’s broader initiative to install baffle boxes at strategic points throughout the city, reducing pollution levels and improving water quality in the lagoon. The Indian River Lagoon, a biologically diverse estuary, has faced decades of decline due to nutrient overload, leading to algae blooms, fish kills, and seagrass loss.

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