Full House at Water Quality Town Hall

On January 28, 2025, a Water Quality Town Hall was hosted by Councilor Tamara Goehler and moderated by Assistant City Manager, Casey Lucius. Presenters were Marco Island Public Works Director Justin Martin, Marco Police Chief Tracy Frazzano, and Marco Water and Sewer Department General Manager Jeff Poteet. An informal agenda was distributed allowing for questions at the end of each presentation. 

Goehler welcomed all participants and shared that “clean, safe water is essential to all of us; this meeting is a first step in that direction. This Town Hall will be my way to communicate with all of you and to build a bridge between the community and the government because as a whole we are serving each other.” 

Martin had 22 slides to present. On nutrients, Martin read, “Primary nutrients found in our surface water are nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, and iron, and the two most concerning are nitrogen and phosphorus. Too many nutrients can have harmful effects in our environment.” 

Martin added questions that have come up, such as Are we impaired? Did we get off the impairment list? Martin replied, “We are still impaired (for nitrogen) and the State (FDEP) reviews every two years the impairment list, and the next one coming up is in 2026; there is an interim report that comes out later this summer, which will tell us if we are heading in the right direction. The phosphorus levels fluctuate and the trend has slightly increased over the last five years.” 

According to Martin, the list of Dredging Projects being considered included 

C-HAWQ (presentation to Waterways Advisory Committee in mid-February). Martin stated, “Initially, dredging was discounted due to cost, but there have been some lower cost options presented under a public-private partnership.”  

(According to Wikipedia – public-private partnership (PPP) involves private capital financing government projects). 

Martin added, “There is also the potential to use a City-owned location called RIBs site at the southern end of Fiddlers Creek as a disposal location for the dredged material.” ($30 million and funding needed) 

Ribs stands for Rapid Infiltration Basin System. It is a City-owned 43-acre vacant parcel that was previously used as a wastewater retention pond located on Mainsail Drive within the Fiddlers Creek PUD. 

Chief Frazzano focused on the Marco Island Lawn and Landscape Maintenance Registration and reported as follows: 

• Identified 269 landscaping companies working in Marco; 

• 238 companies registered and issued registration stickers (visible on the front windshield left side); 

• To date, Code issued 98 Notice of Violations (NOV) or warnings and set a compliance date within 30 days; (69 complied); 29 non-complied; 

• Enforced the Fertilizer Summer Ban (June through September); 

• Enforces the Illicit Discharge (MS4) Stormwater regulation, and for 2025 – four NOVs are scheduled for the February Special Magistrate; 

• Marine Officers inspect boats moored on Smokehouse Bay and Factory Bay for safety, environmental, and sanitation issues. 

Poteet presented thirteen slides dealing with Wastewater Service Areas, Reclaimed Water Distribution System, and Groundwater Monitoring/Sampling Results. Poteet shared that “groundwater analysis confirms that phosphorus levels are virtually nonexistent, indicating minimal movement from reclaimed water into the surrounding environment.” 

Poteet added, “A more effective use of resources would be to focus on septic-to-sewer conversions for Isles of Capri and Goodland, where failing septic systems are a known source of nutrient pollution affecting water quality.” 

City Manager Lucius concluded the meeting with the following: “We all have the same goals; our goal is meaningful action to improve our water quality. We have a new City Council, and they may take a new approach and that is something that we will be talking about in the coming weeks and months.” 

Councilor Goehler thanked all the attendees and remarked, “I am not a water expert, but I think AWT system might work; I’veread a lot all about it.” 

Advanced Water Treatment (AWT)is a process that reduces/removes nitrogen and phosphorus in reuse water. 

Residents had some questions and comments. 

“I am not impressed with what I have heard,” said Rick Cipriani. “The cheapest way to improving the canals is to take the phosphorus and nitrogen out and all the other stuff I’ve heard is smoke and mirrors.” 

Bob Roth said, “No matter what kind of band-aids we throw at the water, air bubblers, canal interconnections, mini-islands for $60 million, whatever. These are just band-aids, not a cure.” 

“The cost to upgrade to an Advance Water Treatment is certainly affordable to everyone on Marco,” commented Douglas Woodworth. “In worst case scenario, less than $150 per year per taxpayer.” 

Dave Rasmussen asked, “Is reuse water fertilizer? According to the Fertilizer Ordinance, fertilizer is any substance that contains nitrogen and phosphorus or any combination of these plant nutrients.”

“What is the restriction for homeowners applying fertilizers during the summer ban and what is the registration process for them?” The registration process is only for Professional Landscapers.” 

Residents can find a list of lawn companies registered to do business on Marco with the Growth Management Department.