Marco Water Quality

In response to the letter recently submitted by the Marco Island City Manager regarding the water quality of Marco Island Waterways, I offer the following. The state limit for discharge into a waterbody is limited to 3 mg/l of nitrogen and 1 mg/l of phosphorus. The Marco Island Wastewater treatment plant does not meet these standards. The result of this is that the city is required to either inject the wastewater into a 3,000 foot deep well, which is expensive, or classify the wastewater as reuse water for irrigation. Approximately 85 percent of the wastewater flow is utilized as reuse water and sprayed onto golf courses, condo properties or irrigation in the medians of Collier Boulevard. The problem is that some of this water ends up in the canals and waterways of Marco Island and causes an oxygen deficiency. The city claims that this is not harmful to the environment, but the claim ignores the facts of the city’s own water test results. The current minimum level of oxygen in the canals does not meet the 5mg/l standard for a healthy water quality and in some cases is at 2.5mg/l or less.

Mr. McNees cites a presentation by the South Florida Water Management District. This group is responsible for management of water resources and is not responsible for wastewater management which is the responsibility of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He is conflating two different entities. The bottom line is that the group he cites is promoting reuse water to reduce well water and surface water consumption. It does not regulate the level of nutrients and contaminants in wastewater, and the impact on the surrounding canals which is under the purview of the Florida DEP. The citizens of this city deserve better!