Ballard Park in Melbourne, FL
How safe is the water at Ballard Park?
The Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider chapters use this program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. Chapter-run BWTF programs fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of agency-run beach monitoring programs by sampling ocean and bay beaches, estuaries and potential freshwater sources of pollution such as stormwater outlets, rivers and creeks that discharge onto the beach.
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A priority polluted beach
Because of the high public use of this park, the Space Coast Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) program has been monitoring water quality at Ballard Park since 2020.
Unfortunately, their test results show high bacteria levels that frequently exceed the state standard for safe swimming, with nearly half of the water samples collected failing to meet health standards. In fact, Ballard Park has made the Surfrider Foundation’s national list of priority polluted beaches for the past three years (2020 - 2023).
How are our Ocean Friendly Gardens helping?
Photos courtesy of Zaperzon
Buffer Gardens at Ballard Park
To reduce polluted runoff that may contribute to the high bacteria levels measured at Ballard Park, two buffer gardens were designed to slow down the flow of water and absorb contaminants before it reaches the lagoon.
Strategically planted native plants create a natural filter for nutrients and pollution that can contribute to poor water quality. This natural buffer zone helps absorb upstream pollution and stormwater runoff, protecting clean water and reducing erosion with deep-rooted plants. Native plants also support pollinators and wildlife, creating resilient habitat and boosting local biodiversity.
This project was made possible with a grant from One Lagoon and was created by Surfrider Space Coast Chapter volunteers.
Stay updated about local water quality
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Water quality testing provided by Surfrider's {{info.name}} Chapter
Since the inception of the Blue Water Task Force program more than 25 years ago, Surfrider volunteers have been out in their communities testing water quality at the beach. Now a large national network with over 60 chapter-run labs, the Blue Water Task Force measures bacteria levels at approximately 600 ocean, bay, estuary and freshwater sampling sites across the country.
Surfrider Foundation Space Coast partners with Marine Resources Council (MRC) to test our waters for bacteria levels to raise awareness of our local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions. This collaborative program provides the public with year-round water quality information at ocean and intracoastal recreational locations.
For more information or questions:
Kris Baker, Blue Water Task Force Chapter Coordinator
bwtf@spacecoast.surfrider.org