Bay cleanup on the ballot: Stormwater drain system upgrade up for vote in April

The health and recreational value of St. Andrew Bay is up for a non-binding vote on April 22: Municipal Super Tuesday.

On March 11, city officials introduced to the media a new stormwater filter called Bay Savor, which they hope to get going along West Beach Drive during the referendum.

The 12-foot apparatus looks like supersized straw or Brita — but only if the straw or Brit decided to go full Mad Max.

The sturdy Bay Savor sifter comes equipped with barracuda-like teeth, ready to chomp down any rogue debris that cruises through the stormwater pipes and toward the open waters of the Bay.

To clean the giant filter, city employees will have to hook up a truck-vac to discard the matter.

Curious residents can go the City Hall's rotunda to see the large model and watch a video of it in action.

Clint Murphy, Panama City’s director of public works, told reporters that the device is more than 80% efficient, implying any inefficiency is do to some flotsam being too small for the "teeth" of the filter.

When asked about chemical pollution, Murphy said Bay Savor indirectly helps reduce that, too. Many chemicals adhere to debris, the director said.

The cost? $8 million for 17 12-foot filters. The environmental plan is funded by a state grant.

The ultimate Municipal Super Tuesday decision about the future health and safety of the Bay is up to the commissioners.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Debris-free waters? Panama City's stormwater drain proposal heads to April vote