Florida's Water Pollution: Solutions For A Cleaner Future

Florida's water crisis is a well-known issue, with the state's primary source of potable water, the aquifer, being depleted, and surface waters polluted with nutrients that cause frequent harmful algal blooms. The state's economy, environment, and quality of life are all impacted by water quality. While there is no single solution to fix the complex water quality problems, it is essential to address the root causes of nutrient pollution, such as wastewater, stormwater, and fertilizer usage, and invest in long-term restoration projects like the Everglades Restoration and shorter-term solutions like conservation land acquisition. Governor Ron DeSantis has taken steps to improve water quality through legislation and funding, but consistent enforcement of environmental laws and adequate funding for water management districts remain crucial to effectively addressing Florida's water pollution challenges.

How to fix Florida's water pollution

Control pollution at the source

Florida's environment, economy, and quality of life depend on the health of its streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. Controlling pollution at the source is the most cost-effective and efficient way to protect water quality.

One of the most prevalent water quality issues in southwest Florida is nutrient pollution, which can come from several sources, including inadequately treated stormwater and the improper use of fertilizers. To address this issue, county and city governments should adopt protective ordinances to limit the harmful impacts of stormwater and fertilizers on waterways. This includes implementing and enforcing effective stormwater management practices, such as adequate retention and treatment of stormwater onsite, to prevent nonpoint source pollution from entering water bodies.

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership between the University of Florida (UF) and Florida A&M University (FAMU), provides scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. They can play a crucial role in educating residents, businesses, and visitors about the proper use and disposal of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, as well as raising awareness of how easily household chemicals and other pollutants can enter ground and surface water systems.

Additionally, Florida's agricultural sector should be regulated to ensure that pollution from industrial and agricultural sources is minimized. The Federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), requires permits for industrial, municipal, and certain agricultural pollution sources that discharge pollution into surface waters. FDEP is responsible for enforcing these regulations and can take legal action to protect Florida's air, waters, and property, including animal, plant, and aquatic life.

Improve sewage treatment infrastructure

Florida's sewage treatment infrastructure requires significant improvements to address the state's water pollution issues. Here are some key actions that can be taken to achieve this:

Firstly, it is essential to enhance the treatment of stormwater, which is considered the greatest threat to clean water in Florida. Inadequately treated stormwater contributes to nutrient pollution, a prevalent issue in Southwest Florida. County and city governments should implement protective ordinances to mitigate the harmful impacts of stormwater on waterways. This includes proper stormwater management, such as sufficient retention and treatment of stormwater on-site, to prevent widespread water quality degradation.

Secondly, there should be a focus on reducing excess nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in sewage treatment plants. While treatment standards typically do not require the control of these nutrients, their excessive levels contribute to "dead zones." Implementing more stringent permit limits and conditions for sewage treatment plants can help address this issue. Additionally, adopting new strategies, such as decentralizing treatment systems, can improve efficiency, localize water treatment, and reduce costs.

Furthermore, Florida's onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, or septic systems, play a crucial role in wastewater disposal for 30% of the state's population. Proper design, construction, and maintenance of these systems are vital to ensuring safe groundwater, which provides 90% of Florida's drinking water. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing regulations and permitting for these systems, and inspections are now also conducted by private providers.

Finally, increasing data sampling is essential to identify polluted or at-risk waterbodies. Insufficient data can hinder the ability to assess and protect Florida's water quality effectively. By increasing sampling efforts, Florida can better protect its environment, economy, and quality of life, all of which heavily depend on the health of its streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters.

Reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture

Florida's environment, economy, and quality of life depend heavily on the health of its streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. One of the most prevalent water quality issues in southwest Florida is nutrient pollution, which can originate from inadequately treated stormwater and the improper application of fertilizer.

To reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture, farmers can adopt several best management practices (BMPs). These include:

• Nutrient Management Techniques: Applying nutrients (fertilizers and manure) in the right amount, at the right time of year, with the right method, and with the right placement can significantly reduce nutrient losses.
• Conservation Drainage Practices: Implementing practices such as subsurface tile drainage, woodchip bioreactors, saturated buffers, and modifications to the drainage ditch system can help manage water movement and reduce nutrient loads while maintaining adequate drainage for crop production.
• Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover: Planting cover crops or perennial species prevents periods of bare ground when the soil is most susceptible to erosion and nutrient loss into waterways.
• Field Buffers: Planting trees, shrubs, and grasses along field edges, especially those bordering water bodies, creates a natural buffer that helps filter out pollutants and protect water quality.
• Watershed Efforts: Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders and organizations across a watershed is crucial. Farmers can play a leadership role by engaging with state governments, conservation groups, educational institutions, and community groups to reduce nutrient pollution.
• Everglades Forever Act Compliance: The Act, initiated in 1994, mandates an annual 25% reduction in phosphorus compared to baseline levels in the 1980s. Compliance with this Act has helped reduce nutrient-rich runoff and improve water quality in the Everglades.
• Stormwater Management: Properly maintaining local stormwater management systems and using fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides with care can reduce the impact of polluted stormwater on water bodies.

By implementing these practices, farmers in Florida can play a crucial role in reducing nutrient pollution from agriculture and improving the state's water quality.

Protect and restore natural filtration systems

Protecting and restoring natural filtration systems is key to improving Florida's water quality. Florida's water resources are under threat from a range of human activities, including urban and rural development, drainage and filling of wetlands, mining, oil drilling, and agriculture. These activities contribute to nutrient pollution, which is one of the state's most significant issues.

One of the most important natural filtration systems in Florida is its wetlands. Wetlands play a crucial role in replenishing aquifer systems, which provide over 90% of Florida's drinking water. They act as a natural filter, removing pollutants from the water. Protecting and restoring wetlands is essential to ensuring the continued provision of clean drinking water for the state's residents. This can be done by advocating for stronger regulations and policies that protect wetlands and other environmentally sensitive lands, as well as supporting projects that improve the environmental health of estuaries, such as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

Another way to protect and restore natural filtration systems is to improve stormwater management. Stormwater runoff is a significant source of pollution in Florida, as it picks up fertilizers, pesticides, oils, and other pollutants as it flows across impervious surfaces and into water bodies. By implementing better stormwater management practices, such as constructing berms, creating buffer strips of vegetation, and maintaining slopes, the impact of stormwater runoff can be mitigated. Additionally, adopting protective local stormwater and fertilizer ordinances can help limit the harmful effects of stormwater on waterways.

Florida's natural filtration systems can also be improved by controlling pollution at its source. This includes adequately treating water onsite, whether it is from urban or agricultural runoff or wastewater treatment plants. By preventing pollution from entering water bodies in the first place, the state can save time and money and better protect its water quality. This can be achieved through effective source control, protective water quality standards, and the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Finally, individuals and small businesses can play a role in protecting and restoring Florida's natural filtration systems. Residents and businesses can properly maintain local stormwater management systems, use fertilizers and pesticides with care, and be mindful of how easily household chemicals and other pollutants can enter water systems. By making small changes, individuals can have a significant impact on the state's water quality and help protect their community and the Everglades.

Enforce environmental laws and regulations

Florida's water pollution is a menace to public health, wildlife, and the economy. The Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Act (FAWPCA) provides the general framework for water and air quality regulations in Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is tasked with enforcing and implementing various laws, rules, and regulations related to air and water pollution in the state.

To effectively enforce environmental laws and regulations, the following actions should be prioritized:

Firstly, it is crucial to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws and regulations. FDEP should ensure that polluters are held accountable and that penalties for non-compliance are stringent and consistently applied. This includes industrial plants, large farms, and individual residents or businesses that contribute to water pollution. By increasing inspections and enforcing penalties, there will be a greater incentive for all parties to adhere to environmental standards.

Secondly, FDEP should prioritize the prevention, abatement, and control of pollution. This involves adopting comprehensive programs that address the unique challenges faced by Florida, such as nutrient pollution from excess nitrogen and phosphorus, which can come from untreated sewage, leaking septic tanks, and inadequate stormwater management. FDEP should work closely with local communities and industries to implement best practices for pollution control, such as proper wastewater treatment and onsite water treatment to prevent pollution from entering water bodies.

Thirdly, it is essential to protect and restore water quality through effective source control. This includes implementing protective and enforceable water quality standards, such as limiting the discharge of pollutants into water bodies and ensuring that stormwater is properly managed and treated before discharge. FDEP can provide guidelines and support to communities to improve their local stormwater management systems, encouraging the use of natural filtration systems, such as wetlands, which play a crucial role in replenishing aquifer systems.

Additionally, FDEP should focus on developing and approving plans for water quality control. This involves working with local governments to adopt protective ordinances that limit the harmful impacts of stormwater and fertilizers on waterways. By setting standards for stormwater management, especially in new and redeveloping areas, FDEP can prevent the widespread water quality issues caused by inadequate stormwater treatment and retention.

Lastly, FDEP should collaborate with other government agencies and seek their support in enforcing environmental laws and regulations. By working together with the University of Florida (UF) and Florida A&M University (FAMU) through the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, FDEP can leverage scientific knowledge and expertise to make informed decisions. This collaboration can also help spread awareness and educate the public about the impact of their actions on water quality, empowering individuals and businesses to make environmentally conscious choices.

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