Blue Origin Seeks Permit to Discharge Rocket Wastewater into Indian River; Brevard Officials Call for Public Review

Blue Origin has submitted a draft permit application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection seeking approval to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater from its Florida launch site into an onsite stormwater pond that would ultimately flow into the Indian River. The proposal has drawn concern from Brevard County officials who want the public to have an opportunity to weigh in.

What is being requested

In the draft application, Blue Origin requests permission to discharge 0.467 MGD (million gallons per day) of process wastewater and 0.015 MGD of non-process wastewater to a large onsite stormwater pond with a surface area of 402,981 square feet, and then from that pond into the Indian River. The company says some of the water would be treated in the stormwater pond before release, but not all of it.

Local reaction

Members of the Brevard County Commission expressed concern about the proposal at a time when the county has invested heavily in cleaning and protecting the Indian River Lagoon. Commissioners plan to vote on a letter asking the Florida DEP to hold a public meeting so residents can review the permit application and raise questions.

"That’s really troubling to me, especially when we are spending so much money as a community on the half-cent sales tax and the 'Save the Indian River Lagoon' tax," said Brevard County Commissioner Katie Delaney.

Space-industry observers also noted a history of industrial waste issues tied to aerospace operations elsewhere in the country. "There has been all sorts of industrial waste issues associated with the aerospace industry not just here in Florida but all across the country," said Don Platt, a space professor at Florida Tech.

Company background and response

Blue Origin, founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, operates launch facilities in Van Horn, Texas, and at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where it launches the large reusable New Glenn rocket. Blue Origin describes New Glenn as a vehicle that operates more like a commercial airliner and says it uses cleaner fuel to reduce waste and lower costs.

When asked about public concerns, Blue Origin responded that the request is a renewal of an agreement that has been in place for more than five years and emphasized the company’s commitment to "maintaining responsible and compliant operations."

What happens next

The Brevard County Commission will discuss the proposal on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. The commission cannot approve or deny state permits, but commissioners will consider asking the Florida DEP to host a public meeting so residents can review the draft permit and submit comments.

Source: Reporting by Esther Bower.