Beyond the Curb: Why Stormwater Management is Key to Miami-Dade County's Prosperity

The Economic Power of Biscayne Bay Biscayne Bay is the lifeblood of Miami-Dade County. According to the 2023 Biscayne Bay Economic Study, the Bay supports approximately 448,500 jobs and generates $64 billion in annual economic output. Beyond its beauty, it drives our tourism, real estate, and commercial fishing industries.

The Hidden Threat: Stormwater Pollution Many people don't realize that our street drainage systems are direct highways to the ocean. When it rains, water washes litter, plastic bottles, and organic debris into storm drains. From there, this untreated pollution flows into local canals and straight into Biscayne Bay.

This isn't just a "trash" problem—it's a nutrient problem. Organic debris like leaves and grass clippings break down and release nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to harmful algae blooms and fish kills.

Innovation in Action: SOP Technologies Stormwater Filters To combat the pollution, Miami-Dade County has implemented SOP Technologies’ patented Stormwater Filters as a Best Management Practice (BMP).

These filters are uniquely designed to:

• Capture Trash at the Source: By blocking debris at the curb, items like Styrofoam and plastic bags never enter the pipes.

• Reduce Nutrients: By keeping organic matter out of the water, we reduce the nutrient loading that threatens the Bay’s ecosystem.

• Save Taxpayer Dollars: It is significantly more cost-effective to sweep trash off the street than it is to remove it from deep within the drainage system or from the Bay itself.

A Sustainable Future By investing in these smart stormwater solutions, Miami-Dade County is ensuring that our "Blue Heart" remains healthy, vibrant, and economically productive for generations to come.

Voice of the Oceans - Voz dos Oceanos Interview - 2022 (Portuguese)

Português

A Voz dos Oceanos entrevistou a SOP Technologies em 2022 em Miami, Flórida. Neste vídeo, falamos sobre nossos filtros de águas pluviais para bueiros e também nossos marcadores de bueiros de QR Code. Essas tecnologias ajudam a manter a poluição fora dos cursos d'água e também a educar e conectar com o público. As cidades usam essas tecnologias para evitar que o lixo nas ruas entre nos bueiros e seja descarregado em canais, rios e baías, e os QR codes ajudam os departamentos de Obras Públicas a monitorar seu trabalho e saber quais áreas produzem mais lixo.

English

Voice of the Oceans interviewed SOP Technologies in 2022 in Miami, FL. In this video, we talk about our Stormwater Filters for storm drains, and also our QR Code Storm Drain Markers. These technologies help to keep pollution out of waterways and also to educate and connect with the public. Cities use these technologies to prevent litter on the street from entering storm drains and discharging to canals, rivers and bays, and the QR codes help Public Works departments to keep track of their work and know what areas produce more trash.

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Video em Português

North Bay Village Protecting Biscayne Bay with Stormwater BMPs - Stormwater Filters

On February 15, 2024, reporter Chelsea Ambriz from NBC 6 South Florida featured North Bay Village's proactive measures to safeguard Biscayne Bay through the deployment of SOP Technologies Stormwater Inlet Screens/Filters and QR Code Storm Drain Markers, showcasing their commitment to environmental conservation.

Article link: Miami-based company designs new way to tackle pollution in North Bay Village

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-based-company-designs-new-way-to-tackle-pollution-in-north-bay-village/3234776/

The patented Stormwater Filters are strategically being installed all over North Bay Village to effectively manage stormwater runoff. These innovative filters are accompanied by patented QR Code Storm Drain Markers positioned next to each screen. This thoughtful addition enables community members to conveniently capture and upload images of any issues they encounter, facilitating seamless communication with the Public Works department.

Biscayne Bay has faced persistent challenges related to stormwater pollution and water quality over the years. The situation escalated in August 2020 when the bay encountered a significant fish kill incident, prompting local residents to rally together in a demonstration of solidarity for protecting the Bay. This led to the organization of the March for the Bay in North Bay Village, aiming to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts. Subsequently, the village has implemented measures to tackle stormwater runoff with SOP Technologies, aiming to mitigate the harmful effects of plastics, litter, phosphorus, and nitrogen on the bay ecosystem.

City of Laurel, MD Implementing QR Code Storm Drain Markers and Stormwater Inlet Filters

The City of Laurel, MD Public Works Department is implementing SOP Technologies’ Stormwater Filters and QR Code Storm Drain Markers city-wide. At the time of the video below (video by the City of Laurel), the city has had over 100 filters installed for over a year in various areas of the city.

This infrastructure improvement project is helping the city to keep debris and litter out of local rivers and Chesapeake Bay. For this project, SOP Technologies conducted 3D scans and measurements of existing infrastructure, technical designs and custom manufacturing in order to retrofit to existing storm drains and catch basins. Also, the website for the QR Code Storm Drain Markers has been upgraded with an online map for maintenance personnel to keep track of community reports and activities.

In the video below, the Public Works Department and Mayor are explaining how these stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are helping the city to prevent floods, prevent stormwater pollution, improve storm drain maintenance, and enhance community engagement.

Learn more about stormwater filters

Learn more about QR Code Storm Drain Markers