State and Community Leaders Celebrate Historic Investments in Water

Ft. Myers, Florida — Legislators and community leaders gathered today at Riverside Community Center to celebrate the victories of the 2023 legislation session for Florida’s southwest region, key among them was policy and funding to support Florida’s water resources.

“The quality of our water resources contributes to our quality of life in so many ways. It nourishes our bodies, grows our plants and animals, adds to the beauty of our landscape and supports the entire ecosystem. But aging infrastructure has allowed waste to reach our lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans,” said Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, House District 78). “This legislative session, I was proud to work with my colleagues to secure $125 million to strengthen water infrastructure in the Caloosahatchee and Indian River Lagoon Basins, which will have a meaningful impact on protecting our water resources in the future.”

Persons-Mulicka referred to House Bill 1379, which was signed into law May 31 and dedicates $100 million to the new Indian River Lagoon Protection Program. Another $25 million was provided in the state budget to support wastewater infrastructure upgrades in the Caloosahatchee River Basin.

Improperly treated sewage is a major and often the most dangerous source of contamination and pollution in many waters of national significance. Aging, inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure routinely dumps, spills, or sprays raw or partially treated sewage into ground and surface waters, and harming ecosystems and human health. Meanwhile residential Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems (septic tanks) leech nutrient-laden effluent into surrounding soils that eventually reach surface waters.

“The business leaders, scientists, engineers and outdoor enthusiasts who make up the American Water Security Project are thrilled to see such historic investments in protecting southwest Florida’s water resources,” said Dr. Brandon Shuler, Executive Director of the American Water Security Project. “Forensic research shows that septic tanks are contributing significantly to the challenges that plague our waterways, and the policies advanced this session and investments made in septic-to-sewer conversions will help guard against water quality challenges like red tide and harmful algae blooms.”

A study conducted by scientists from Florida Atlantic University and the Lee County Department of Natural Resources was published in the June 25 issue of Science of the Total Environment. The study confirms “evidence of widespread human waste pollution in Lee County” that contribute toward “declines in water quality and harmful algal blooms due to development with inadequate infrastructure.”

“Water quality is crucial to southwest Florida ecosystems. It’s not just the fish and wildlife and surrounding environment, but it’s also the communities that make a living through fishing, outdoor recreation, and tourism,” said Dr. Shuler. “The red tide and blue-green algae fed by sewage is taking a toll on all of us. We’re grateful to the Florida Legislature for making water quality in southwest Florida a priority and investing in the infrastructure needed to protect our waterways.”

HB 1379 provided funding to improve wastewater infrastructure in east central and southwest Florida, establishes pollution-remediation requirements, and increases conservation efforts in the regions. Under the law, new septic systems are banned in the Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) area. In addition, the law requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to work with local governments and other key stakeholders to develop a remediation plan in places where septic tanks are contributing 20% or more of the pollution to the local water resources.

About The American Water Security Project
The American Water Security Project is a coalition of business leaders, scientists, engineers, policy experts, outdoor enthusiasts, conservation advocates, and thought leaders working to promote the urgent need for wastewater infrastructure upgrades to protect waters and water bodies around the country. The coalition educates on the negative effects of wastewater spills and dumps to residents, businesses, and tourism, communicates the social and ecological values of proper wastewater treatment and advocates for remedies to correct the deficiencies.