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5/31/2023

Haines City ordered by FDEP to complete wastewater improvement projects to prevent future spills

HAINES CITY – The state is ordering Haines City to fix its wastewater system to prevent spills.

June 30 is the deadline the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has given Haines City to have construction completed for the first of its newest RIB, or rapid infiltration basins.

“The RIBs are going to be the largest benefit that Haines City’s going to experience. It's going to give us somewhere to send the reclaim water. So, we don’t have to open up the valve and go into the existing ditch,” said James Keene, Haines City public services administrator.

Keene said this is one of four major wastewater improvement projects the FDEP is ordering the City to complete by the end of this year. The city has recently completed the construction of a three-million-gallon ground storage tank for its reclaimed water.

5/31/2023

How the Supreme Court’s wetlands ruling could impact pollution, flooding

The Supreme Court’s decision to curb federal regulations for wetlands could have far-reaching implications for America’s water.

The ruling is expected to open the nation up to more water pollution, experts say. And not only that: They say it could also make the country more vulnerable to floods.

The court Thursday narrowed the federal government’s authority to regulate wetlands, saying it only has jurisdiction over those that have a “continuous surface connection” with other regulated waters such as lakes or rivers.

In practice, this will mean that wetlands that don’t meet this definition will be open to development, unless they are in a state that has its own requirements.

“People will no longer need a permit to fill the wetlands,” Mark Ryan, a former Clean Water Act litigation specialist at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told The Hill on Thursday.

“If you’re a developer and you buy a piece of farmland that had a bunch of wetlands on it that weren’t right next to the river … you could just go out and start filling those wetlands now. You don’t need a permit unless the state requires it,” Ryan said.

A significant number of wetlands are expected to be impacted by the ruling.

5/30/2023

Lakeland to harvest invasive aquatic plants from Lake Hollingsworth

LAKELAND — Lakeland will launch a two-month project to reduce dense vegetation across portions of Lake Hollingsworth in June.

The city's Lakes and Stormwater Division will begin an aquatic plant harvesting project June 5 that aims to reduce invasive and nuisance aquatic plants in the lake in an effort to promote plant diversity, improving water flow and water quality.

The first phase of the project will focus on the southern portion of Lake Hollingsworth from Patten Heights Street to Crystal Lake Drive. Lakeland staff will utilize the city's aquatic harvesting machinery and barges to cut through vegetation and transport it to the shore. The harvested vegetation will be transported to a permitted facility for composting.

City staff will work out of the parking lot on the south side of the lake, near Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Buckingham Avenue. This will result in the temporary closing of three trailer spaces.

5/26/2023

SCOTUS sinks Clean Water Act protection for 51% of U.S. waters

'Wetlands that are separate from traditional navigable waters cannot be considered part of those waters.'

A Supreme Court ruling that on its face just allows an Idaho couple to build a home near a lake goes in fact much further than that, eliminating Clean Water Act (CWA) coverage to 51% of previously protected U.S. wetlands.

“Wetlands that are separate from traditional navigable waters cannot be considered part of those waters, even if they are located nearby,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.

“In addition, it would be odd indeed if Congress had tucked an important expansion to the reach of the CWA into convoluted language in a relatively obscure provision concerning state permitting programs.”

In this case, a road bisects the wetlands in question, and the house was going in on the part of the wetlands cut off from the rest. The Court ruled that the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction ended at the road. The water has to be visible and contiguous to be covered by the law.

5/26/2023

Water management districts want visitors to enjoy Florida’s springs and rivers responsibly

Here are some reminders to take special care if you're planning to enjoy Florida's nature this weekend.

Before Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, Florida’s water management districts want to remind visitors to springs and rivers to leave no litter and protect nature.

Troy Roberts with the Suwannee River Water Management District said trash takes away from an area’s natural beauty. It is also harmful to plants, animals, and water quality.

“Make sure you’re taking your trash back with you,” Roberts said. “Take care of these natural wonders that we have like you would your own house.”

Roberts added it is also important to protect submerged aquatic vegetation or seagrass, which provides food and habitat, and can serve as an indicator of the health of a system.

“When people are out swimming or floating, they need to stay close to the surface of the water and they’re not trampling the vegetation,” he said. “Walking on it can uproot it, can damage it. Even walking in the sandy areas can prevent new growth in those areas.”

Vivianna Bendixson with the Southwest Florida Water Management District echoed that advice.

“We want boaters and kayakers to enjoy their time on the river, but we want them to do it while reducing their impact to the river,” she said.

Bendixson added that boaters should not moor along the river’s shore, because that contributes to shoreline erosion and the degradation of the system’s overall health.

Water management districts will promote being good stewards of the environment on social media and at their sites throughout the summer when springs see more visitors.

5/22/2023

Polk County Dept. of Health issues Health Alert for Lake Smart-at Hibiscus Drive

FDOH logo

WINTER HAVEN – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Smart – At Hibiscus Dr. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/16/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Smart – At Hibiscus Dr.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/22/2023

Polk County Dept. of Health issues Health Alert for Lake Rochelle, at Dock

FDOH logo

LAKE ALFRED – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Rochelle – At Dock. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/16/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Rochelle – At Dock.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/22/2023

City of Lakeland announces Lake Hollingsworth Stormwater Treatment Retrofit Project

Lakeland logo

LAKELAND – The City of Lakeland will begin construction to retrofit an existing stormwater pollution control device (PCD) located at the intersection of Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Palmola Street using innovative technology to enhance nutrient removal in stormwater discharges to Lake Hollingsworth. The City has obtained all required permits and will utilize funds appropriated for stormwater management and treatment within the Lake Hollingsworth drainage basin.

The project involves installing a 40’ x 12’ underground biosorption activated media (BAM) treatment unit that will be connected to the existing baffle box PCD. The baffle box PCD is designed to remove gross pollutants such as sediment, litter, and debris from stormwater flows, while the addition of the BAM unit will remove soluble nutrient pollutants from stormwater prior to discharging into Lake Hollingsworth. Implementation of this project will enhance the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce pollutant loads in stormwater entering Lake Hollingsworth. Lake Hollingsworth has a current State Total Maximum Daily Load mandate to reduce nutrient loads entering the lake.

The project is scheduled to begin June 6, 2023, and will be completed by Public Works Construction & Maintenance crews within a week from the construction start date. Construction equipment can be expected in the area Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Palmola Street, with equipment and vehicles periodically entering and leaving the site while also crossing the Lake Hollingworth recreation path. The City will provide traffic control at the recreational pathway for the safety of residents throughout the construction activities as needed. The estimated cost to complete this project is $57,000, which is provided through the FY23 Stormwater Utility Capital Improvement Projects Fund.

5/19/2023

Polk County drills two new super wells to prevent water supply shortage as population booms

LAKE WALES – Enough good, clean drinking water is a huge concern in Polk County because of the county’s booming population.

The new Polk Regional Water Cooperative wants to make sure that never happens as Polk is one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire country.

So, the agency is drilling two new super wells, one east of Lake Wales, the other in Lakeland off Kathleen Road.

They will penetrate two or three times deeper than the wells residents currently rely on, which tap into the upper Florida Aquifer.

Unlike water from the upper aquifer, which is immediately drinkable, water from the lower portion is salty. The sodium chloride and calcium sulfate have to be removed.

"We’ll use reverse osmosis, which is a very common process around the world," said Eric DeHaven, Executive Director of the Polk Regional Water Cooperative. "In fact, many municipalities along coastal Florida have reverse osmosis treatment plants.

5/17/2023

Florida environment groups, businesses urge DeSantis to veto ‘attack’ on fertilizer bans

A DeSantis veto would save important measures to curb urban pollution, the groups urged.

Dozens of Florida businesses and environmental organizations are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a budget item that could curtail local fertilizer ordinances and stymie future water quality efforts.

A coalition of 55 groups from across the Sunshine State, including Alachua County commissioners, wrote a letter to DeSantis late last week urging he use a line-item veto to slash a proposed $250,000 appropriation for University of Florida researchers to study the impact of preempting local fertilizer regulations for the next year.

A local fertilizer ordinance — like the one Pinellas County initiates from June through September — aims to prevent polluted, nutrient-heavy water from flowing off lawns and parks during Florida’s rainy season. That runoff can fuel toxic blue-green algae and red tide blooms that plague Florida’s cherished coastlines and cost the state millions in missed tourism dollars.

More than 100 municipalities across Florida, including more than 20 local governments in Pinellas, have used rainy season fertilizer bans as a tool to prevent souring the state’s waters.

5/15/2023

Polk County Dept. of Health issues Health Alert for Lake Hollingsworth at Water Ski Club

FDOH logo

LAKELAND – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Hollingsworth - at Lakeland Water Ski club. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Hollingsworth - at Lakeland Water Ski club.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for for Tiger Lake - Center

FDOH logo

LAKE WALES – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Tiger Lake – Center. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Tiger Lake – Center

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Peace River - Bartow @ SR60

FDOH logo

BARTOW – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Peace River - at Bartow SR60. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Peace River - at Bartow SR60.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Lake Hancock-South Central

FDOH logo

LAKELAND – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Hancock - South Central. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Hancock - South Central.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Lake Haines-Boat Ramp

FDOH logo

LAKE ALFRED – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Haines - Boat Ramp. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Haines - Boat Ramp.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for Scott Lake-Fitzgerald Rd. Boat Ramp

FDOH logo

LAKELAND – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Scott lake – at Fitzgerald Road boat ramp. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Scott lake – at Fitzgerald Road boat ramp.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

5/11/2023

Polk County Health Dept. issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert for for Peace River-Ft. Meade Rec Area

FDOH logo

FORT MEADE – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Peace River - Ft Meade Outdoor Recreation Area. This is in response to a water sample taken on 5/2/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Peace River - Ft Meade Outdoor Recreation Area.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
  • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Updates on water quality status can be found on the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

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