February 9, 2026
Protecting the Indian River Lagoon with Baffle Boxes
The City of Melbourne, Florida, has been working for nearly a decade to restore the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most ecologically significant waterways in the state.
Since 2015, Melbourne has installed baffle boxes as part of its stormwater infrastructure improvement program.
These structures intercept pollutants carried by stormwater runoff before they enter the lagoon, helping protect water quality and marine life. The initiative was funded by a voter-approved 0.5 cent sales tax dedicated to lagoon restoration projects.
Challenge
The Indian River Lagoon has faced severe pollution issues caused by stormwater runoff carrying trash, debris, sediments, oils, and nutrients. Without effective treatment, these pollutants degrade water quality, harm fish and shellfish, and contribute to algal blooms.
Melbourne needed a solution that could fit within existing stormwater systems, handle large debris loads, and provide advanced pollutant removal, including macro-plastics and hydrocarbons, while remaining easy to maintain.
Solutions
Oldcastle Infrastructure provided precast Nutrient Separating Baffle Box® (NSBB®) systems engineered to deliver high-performance stormwater treatment. These systems feature multi-chamber designs that slow water flow, allowing sediments and debris to settle while skimmers capture floating trash and oils.
The NSBB units are designed for easy installation in both new and retrofit applications, minimizing disruption and reducing construction costs.
Key features of this system include:
- Debris-trapping chambers that catch and retain trash and macro-plastics before they break down into micro-plastics
- Integrated oil skimmers that remove hydrocarbons and chemicals from stormwater
- Precast construction, ensuring durability and simplified installation in tight urban spaces
- Easy maintenance access, allowing for efficient cleanouts using standard equipment.
Sustainability Impact
The baffle boxes installed in Melbourne remove over 4,000 pounds of harmful pollutants annually and have already captured nearly 94 cubic yards of trash in 2025 alone.
By intercepting pollutants at the source, these systems prevent contamination of the lagoon, protect aquatic ecosystems, and reduce the risk of micro-plastic pollution.
Additionally, the precast design supports long-term sustainability by reducing lifecycle maintenance and enabling scalable deployment.
Overall Impact
Melbourne’s stormwater program demonstrates how Oldcastle Infrastructure’s baffle box technology can deliver measurable environmental benefits.
The city has successfully implemented 18 installations since 2015, with plans to add one new system each year, and work is currently underway on what will be the largest baffle box in the world, located near Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
The NSBB system being implemented in the project measures 30 x 31 x 24 ft, and is expected to remove over 3,300 lbs of nitrogen and over 470 lbs of phosphorus each year from stormwater collected from the 854-acre drainage basin situated just north of the airport.
Projects such as these have significantly reduced pollutant loads entering the lagoon and have improved water quality in the sensitive marine environment, reinforcing the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Conclusion
Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Nutrient Separating Baffle Boxes have played a critical role in Melbourne’s lagoon restoration strategy.
By combining proven stormwater treatment technology with durable precast construction, these systems provide reliable pollutant removal, easy maintenance, and long-term protection for one of Florida’s most important waterways.
As Melbourne continues to expand its program, Oldcastle Infrastructure remains a trusted partner in delivering sustainable stormwater solutions.