Lee County announces two water quality initiatives | News, Sports, Jobs – Cape Coral Breeze

Lee County introduced two programs aimed at improving water quality today.
During Tuesday morning’s Lee Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board approved a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for the collection of water quality and flow data at 12 locations for the next fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
Officials said the county will contribute roughly $185,000 to the cost of the cooperative data collection program, while the USGS will provide around $82,000.
“Water quality is a top priority of the Lee Board of County Commissioners and water-quality projects are underway year-round,” county officials stated in a release following the vote. “The board also has identified flood mitigation as a priority.”
The program includes reading of continuous stage recorders and groundwater levels in several Lee County watersheds including Briarcliff Ditch, Gator Slough, Imperial River, Orange River, Spring Creek, Estero River, Six Mile Cypress Creek, Popash Creek, Telegraph Creek, Ten Mile Canal, and Whiskey Creek.
Gator Slough is in Cape Coral.
Officials said data obtained is used to properly calibrate computer hydrology models developed as part of the Lee County Surface Water Management Master Plan; provide real-time hydrological information to assist in flood/storm response; and document pollutant load reductions in fulfillment of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements.
For more information about Lee County efforts and partnerships, visit “Our Water Story: Lee County’s Water Quality Initiative,” at www.leegov.com/water.
Pick it up
Also today, Lee County Natural Resources announced they are bolstering public outreach efforts to help residents make the connection between pet waste and water quality.
More than 75,000 households will receive postcards reminding residents to pick up pet waste, which has high nutrient and bacteria content that may run off into waterways and feed algae, contribute to algae blooms and pose human health risks. The postcards will start arriving at addresses this week.
County stated they have identified addresses in six different watersheds: Hendry Creek, Whiskey Creek, Deep Lagoon, Yellow Fever Creek, Mullock Creek and Billy Creek.
Yellow Fever Creek is in Cape Coral.
“The mailing effort supports the county’s requirements under its permit for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program,” officials stated. “This federal program was established by the Clean Water Act to control point-source and stormwater discharges.
“This educational effort also supports county goals to protect and improve the quality of local waterways as outlined in the state-adopted Caloosahatchee River and Estuary and Everglades West Coast Basin Management Action Plans.”
Piggybacking off the county’s fertilizer-ordinance education and outreach, the postcards feature a slime monster walking a dog and tossing a bag of pet waste into a garbage bin. Messaging includes, “Do your duty; pick up the doodie,” and “It’s up to you to bag the poo.”
More information is available at www.fertilizesmart.com/pet-waste-info.html. Officials said the county will support the mailings with social media posts and other communications efforts.
Lee County Parks & Recreation also is boosting park patrons’ awareness by placing flyers, park walkway signs and stickers on dog-waste bins at its parks and conservation land sites that allow dogs and that lie within the six watersheds.
The county launched its pet-waste awareness campaign in 2016 to inform residents and visitors that leaving pet waste on the ground can impact waterways. The county encourages accountability among pet owners to collect waste to protect waters. The county’s Animal Control Ordinance also states that pet owners are responsible for removal of excreta deposited on places such as public walks and recreation areas.
“Water quality affects residents and visitors alike, and everyone has an opportunity to be a part of the solution, even during everyday activities such as walking the dog or taking care of the lawn,” officials continued.
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