Florida's Water Pollution Crisis: How Bad Is It?

Florida's water pollution problem is twofold, with both surface water and groundwater sources being contaminated. The state's surface waters, including its rivers, lakes, streams, creeks, ponds, and wetlands, are vulnerable to pollution from trash, sewage, litter, oil, chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants. Groundwater sources, on the other hand, are primarily threatened by nutrient pollution, particularly excess nitrogen, which promotes algal growth that can negatively impact fish, wildlife, and humans. Florida's aquifer systems, which provide the majority of the state's water, are especially vulnerable to pollution due to their proximity to the surface. The state's ancient and inadequate sewage infrastructure, failing septic systems, heavy rainfall, and tropical storms further exacerbate the problem, leading to major spills and untreated sewage backing up into waterways.

Characteristics and Values of Polluted Water in Florida

The Everglades water crisis

Florida's water pollution problem is a pressing issue, with the Everglades at the heart of the crisis. The Everglades, a unique and internationally recognised ecosystem, has been facing an existential threat due to various human activities and natural factors. Once covering nearly 11,000 square miles of South Florida, the Everglades has been significantly reduced in size due to drainage and development.

In the mid-1800s, the Everglades were given to the state of Florida with the condition that they would be drained under the federal Swamp and Overflowed Lands Act. This act led to the land being taken over by agricultural interests, particularly sugar cane and rice cultivation. The construction of drainage canals and pumping stations effectively halted the natural sheet flow of water across the region. The Kissimmee River, once a vital waterway feeding the Everglades, was confined to a canal system, destroying thousands of acres of wetlands. Today, canals and levees are used for water control and diversion, further impacting the natural flow and sustainability of the ecosystem.

Agricultural runoff, including fertilizers and animal waste, is a significant contributor to water pollution in the Everglades. Lake Okeechobee, a vital headwater for the Everglades, has been polluted by decades of agricultural and stormwater runoff. The nutrient-rich water from the lake provides an ideal environment for toxic blue-green algal blooms, which have detrimental effects on the ecosystem and local industries such as fisheries. The state has struggled to reduce the amount of phosphorus flowing into the lake, which continues to exceed the set limits.

In addition to agricultural pollution, Florida's ageing sewage infrastructure has been unable to keep up with the demands of rapid development and heavy rainfall. This has resulted in frequent sewage spills and untreated wastewater overflowing into waterways. The combination of pollution and reduced freshwater flow has had a devastating impact on the Everglades' delicate balance of salt and freshwater, threatening the diverse plant and wildlife communities that call it home.

Efforts to restore the Everglades and address the water crisis have gained attention, even internationally. Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed environmental initiatives, including a $2.5 billion plan to rescue the Everglades. This plan aims to tackle local water pollution, protect springs, and restore the natural water flow. Additionally, the South Florida Water Management District is working on construction projects and scientific research to restore and protect the Everglades. While there is growing recognition of the urgency of the situation, the Everglades remain in a critical state, highlighting the need for effective and timely solutions.

Sewage infrastructure issues

Florida's sewage infrastructure is ageing and inadequate, with pipes dating back to the 1970s. The state's wastewater infrastructure is failing due to old age, poor maintenance, increased populations, and rising sea levels in low-lying communities. Sewage lift stations without generators shut down, causing untreated sewage to back up and overflow. As a result, between 2015 and 2020, more than 1.6 billion gallons of sewage spilled into local communities and waterways.

The state's infrastructure is struggling to keep up with Florida's growing population. The sewage system is inhibited by heavy rainfall and tropical storms, which cause major spills. The regular rainfall and deluges guarantee these spills, with sewage ending up in waterways where people swim, fish and boat. Florida's copious annual rainfall used to seep into the ground surface and into the "honeycomb" aquifer. Now, due to urban development, there is a quick shunting of this rainfall, and the pollutants it picks up, directly into lakes, rivers, and coastal bays, with no treatment.

The state's environmental protection agencies are understaffed and underfunded, with a history of passive and arbitrary enforcement of environmental laws. The Florida Department of Agriculture has been chronically understaffed, and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has slashed its staff over the years. In 2020, a review of DEP enforcement found that despite promises of reform, enforcement continued to drop.

The state has proposed a lengthy and expensive plan to hook up thousands of septic tanks to central wastewater treatment systems, but this will be paid for by taxpayers and is unlikely to solve the continuing water quality problems. Experts estimate that it would require hundreds of billions of dollars to bring the state’s infrastructure up to modern standards.

Water pollution from agriculture

Florida has been facing a water pollution crisis, with many of its waterways not meeting water quality standards. While there are several sources of pollution, agriculture is a major contributor, especially in the form of nutrient pollution. This includes excess nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to the proliferation of algae and the degradation of fisheries and habitats.

Florida's agricultural practices, such as irrigation and fertilizer usage, have resulted in significant water pollution. Nitrogen runoff from farms and ranches has contaminated waterways, with Lake Okeechobee being a notable example. The lake, covering about 450,000 square acres, has been polluted by decades of agricultural and stormwater runoff. The excess nutrients from farms and ranches, as well as septic tanks, contribute to the pollution of the lake and subsequent discharge into estuaries, such as the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.

The Suwannee River Basin in North Florida provides another example of agricultural-induced nutrient pollution. Intensive agriculture and silviculture dominate the 6.4 million-acre basin, resulting in high levels of nitrogen flowing into the Suwannee Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. This has led to algae proliferation and the degradation of the river's natural ecosystem.

The state has implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs) for farms to address agricultural pollution. However, enforcement of these practices has been lacking due to chronic understaffing in the Florida Department of Agriculture and cuts in staff at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over the years. As a result, pollution from agricultural sources has continued to impact Florida's waterways, with the state struggling to meet water quality goals.

To effectively tackle water pollution from agriculture in Florida, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes implementing more advanced agricultural practices, such as precision fertilizer placement and soil-moisture sensors, as well as providing cost-share programs to support farmers in adopting these practices. Additionally, large-scale conversions of intensive agriculture in sensitive spring recharge areas to non-polluting land uses, such as forestry, can help reduce nutrient pollution. Addressing stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants from agricultural sources, is also crucial in mitigating the impact of agriculture on Florida's water bodies.

Water quality standards

Florida's surface water quality standards system is published in 62-302.530 of the Florida Administrative Code. The components of this system include classifications, criteria (including site-specific criteria), an anti-degradation policy, and special protection for certain waters designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. The state has also adopted Site-Specific Alternative Criteria (SSACs) and several variances for Clean Water Act purposes, which have been submitted to the EPA for approval.

Despite the existence of water quality standards and legislation, Florida faces significant water pollution problems. The state has been ranked as having the most polluted lakes in the US, with Lake Okeechobee being a notable example. The pollution in Lake Okeechobee is driven by agricultural and stormwater runoff, with high levels of phosphorus contributing to algae blooms. The state's sewage infrastructure is also struggling to keep up with development and natural habitat loss, leading to sewage spills and untreated sewage ending up in waterways.

Agricultural practices, including the use of fertilizers and animal waste, are major contributors to water pollution in Florida. While Best Management Practices are recommended for farms and ranches, there is a lack of enforcement, and nutrient pollution from these sources proliferates, impacting both groundwater and surface water. The Suwannee River Basin in North Florida, for example, experiences high levels of nitrogen pollution due to intensive agriculture and silviculture.

To address Florida's water quality issues, experts recommend curtailing all anthropogenic nutrient loads at their sources, especially in the agricultural sector. The state has proposed plans to hook up septic tanks to central waste-water treatment systems, but this may not be enough to solve the continuing water quality problems, especially in South Florida.

The impact of pollution on fisheries

Florida has been facing a water pollution problem that is severely impacting its fisheries and habitats. The state has been ranked first in the US for the most polluted lakes, with Lake Okeechobee being a notable example. The lake, covering about 450,000 square acres, has been contaminated by agricultural and stormwater runoff, leading to an excess of phosphorus and nitrogen. This has resulted in the proliferation of algae blooms and the displacement of native plant species.

The issue of water pollution in Florida is not limited to Lake Okeechobee. The state's sewage infrastructure is ageing and inadequate, leading to frequent spills and the discharge of untreated sewage into waterways. The heavy rainfall and tropical storms further exacerbate this problem, as sewage lift stations without generators shut down, causing sewage to back up and overflow. This polluted water ends up in the state's lakes, rivers, and coastal bays, including the St. Lucie estuary, Lake Worth Lagoon, and Broward and Dade counties' urban waterways.

The impact of this pollution on fisheries is significant. Water pollution from sewage, stormwater runoff, and fertilizers has led to fish kills and the decline of certain fish species. The pollutants carried by stormwater runoff, such as fertilizers, pesticides, oils, and coolants, are particularly harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, the excess nutrients and pollutants from agricultural and urban development have altered the habitats of aquatic and non-aquatic wildlife. High levels of phosphorus have led to the growth of undesirable vegetation, crowding out native plant species favoured by wildlife.

The pollution has also impacted the food chain. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus stimulate the growth of algae, which blocks sunlight from reaching submerged aquatic vegetation. This affects the food source for many creatures, disrupting the entire ecosystem. Furthermore, wastewater pollution from municipal and industrial activities has complex negative impacts on fish, affecting their growth, behaviour, and survival. Pharmaceuticals and drugs entering waterways through wastewater have been shown to be taken up by nearshore fisheries, with fish even developing signs of drug addiction and behavioural changes.

To address these issues, Florida has proposed a $23 billion Everglades restoration plan to mitigate the damage caused by polluted water flowing out of Lake Okeechobee. Additionally, there is a plan to connect septic tanks to central waste-water treatment systems in South Florida. However, this plan has been criticised as a short-term solution that fails to address the root causes of pollution, particularly from agricultural sources. To truly protect the fisheries and habitats of Florida, a comprehensive approach that curtails pollution at its sources and encourages sustainable practices is necessary.

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