SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota crews are using new technology to keep trash from going into the bay. The “baffle box” was installed over the summer and it was emptied for the first time this week.
“We collected 100-thousand pounds of debris that would have ended up in the water,” said project manager Bill Nichols.
Crews collected litter and leaves, even a tire.
The box is located underground on 10th Street. It filters debris out of the storm-water system before the water drains into the bay.
City leaders said the box is also helping with the fight against red tide.
“We know that nitrogen and nutrients prolong red tide events, it is keeping nutrients and organic matter out of our bay,” said Sustainability Manager Stevie Freeman-Montes.
The cost of the project was approximately $1 million.
