Water Quality Report in Review

Water quality has been discussed for a number of years within the entire State of Florida. Billions are being spent to address the conditions of the Florida Everglades. The restoration of that special ecological area, and repair of the Herbert Hoover Dike, which holds back potentially life-threatening flooding events along the 143-mile earthen dam that surrounds Lake Okeechobee, have received much attention.

The $870 million dollar investment, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the State of Florida, began in 2001 and has been the major focus of much of those discussions. However, effects of the discharges from Lake Okeechobee to both the east and west coasts of Florida and the subsequent increases in red tide, devastating algae blooms and fish kills also have been front page news all too often.

A report prepared by Dr. Harvey H. Harper, PE, of Environmental Research and Design, points out issues surrounding excess nutrients, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers which may be making their way into surface and groundwater systems of Marco Island. This is an equally important issue for Southwest Floridians.

Our canals, originally dredged out by the Deltona Corporation, have been impacted over the five decades since the island saw its first new homes and condominiums built, by residents’ desires to see green lawns and flowering landscapes.  

The 490-page report points to the need do something now to address these potentially serious issues.  Watering too much, with water that has too many chemicals in it, as well as not doing enough to keep nutrient-laden waters from reaching sensitive waterways, are problems throughout Southwest Florida.

As Marco Island City staff and appointed officials begin to digest the water quality report prepared by Dr. Harper, they first will assemble a list questions and comments for clarification prior to the report being formally aired.  Eventually, it will be vetted before the public, and come before the Planning Board and City Council for action.

The report on the condition of the waters in and around the island is an important step toward identifying possible sources of contaminants and recommending solutions to those issues.