Marco Waterways Impaired by Phosphorus from Sewage Reuse Water

So far in 2024, phosphorus in the Marco waterways has exceeded the FDEP limit for impairment. Phosphorus is a nutrient (think fertilizer) that feeds algal blooms which leads to degraded oxygen in the canal water. 

Why worry about this? The water is cloudy. The seagrass has died. Oxygen is down by 70%. The fish have left. The birds have left. No food for manatee. No food for dolphins. The canals stink. Property values are impacted. The Marco canals are being used as a sewage treatment lagoon. 

Phosphorus is banned all year in lawn fertilizer on Marco Island. The only source of phosphorus on Marco Island is the sewage plant, which distributes phosphorus in what is called “reuse” or “reclaimed” water used for landscape irrigation at three golf courses and at the hotels and condos along Collier Boulevard. No phosphorus pollution limits. Permitted by FDEP. Destroying the Marco waterways.  

Sewage reuse water is harming the Marco environment. The sewage plant is in violation of their FDEP permit, which has a clause that states: “do no harm” to the environment. 

After two years of being over the impairment limit, Marco Islandmight be formally declared impaired for phosphorus and might be put on a list for corrective action. Don’t expect anyregulatory support as there are no corrective actions underway anywhere in Collier County. Marco Island is on a trajectory to be formally declared as impaired for phosphorus pollution by 2026.  

What can be done? Clean or “polish” the reuse water before releasing it. This requires voluntary action by the Marco Island City Council.