Our Water Our Rights

09/13/2021

As the small barge floats around Lake Jesup –– one of Central Florida’s largest and most polluted water bodies –– it drags along a large hose that sucks in thousands of gallons of the murky water tinted green and brown from algae and other pollutants.

The water is then siphoned into a holding tank where a filtration system removes the algae, phosphorous and nitrogen. Minutes later, the clearer water is poured back into the east Seminole County lake that sits between Sanford and Oviedo.

Meanwhile, the leftover gooey algal biomass is loaded into trucks and driven to the county’s Yankee Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Called an algae harvesting unit, the system is a pilot project that kicked off on Lake Jesup this month by the St. Johns River Water Management District and will continue through Spring 2022.

Lake Jesup in Seminole County is set to get help from an algae harvester but residents say the effort will do little to clean the water.

09/13/2021

Barry Rosen wiped beads of sweat from his forehead and put on a khaki-colored wide-brim hat to help combat the midday sun as he talked with contractors about his latest research project.

"We're conducting a long-term study at controlling a cyanobacteria bloom that's always occurred in this marina, and actually we have evidence that it's building up right now," Rosen said. "We're using super microscopic bubbles that are meant to attach and potentially harm just the cyanobacteria."

Rosen, a professor and researcher at Florida Gulf Coast University's Water School, is one of the world's leading minds when it comes to understanding blue-green algae and identifying various algae species and any toxins they may be producing.

Barry Rosen, an FGCU professor, is one of the world's leading minds when it comes to understanding blue-green algae and toxins they can produce.

07/19/2021

Palm Beach County Spending $75 million on Clean Water Projects

County Administrator Verdenia Baker’s proposed spending plan could mean that about one-fourth of the dollars, or $75 million, could go toward projects related to water and resiliency.

“One of our biggest challenges here is stormwaters, as well as our septic tanks,” Baker said.

The county can use the money to respond to COVID-19 or its negative economic effects; offer premium pay for essential workers; make up for revenue loss; or plan water, sewer and broadband projects.

07/11/2021

Report algal blooms to DEP through its algal bloom dashboard at floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom or by calling DEP’s hotline at 855-305-3903.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is always looking for new ways to fight toxic algal blooms.

07/11/2021

Florida is one of the states most vulnerable to climate change. Sea level in the Miami area, including Surfside, has risen roughly 7 to 8 inches since Champlain Towers South was built 40 years ago, according to Brian McNoldy, a climate and weather researcher at the University of Miami.

The increasing frequency of high-tide flooding due to climate change is cause for concern for all coastal infrastructure.

06/25/2021

This is great news! Scientists work on cure for blue green algae in South Florida.

A group of international scientists says they could have the cure for blue-green algae blooms in South Florida. Blue Green Water Technologies is a group of scientists out of Israel that have been working on products that can kill toxic algae. The technology has been used all over the world, includin...

06/24/2021

New algae treatment solutions in Caloosahatchee River are working, according to state agencies.

06/23/2021

North Florida is leading the way--New tech debuting in Tallahassee is what environmentalist are calling a “game changer” in tackling harmful algae bloom.

The first of its kind is now operating at Lake Munson, and the idea is that the machine takes in lake water, removes the algae and recycles it back in to the lake. Algae-filled water goes in, and crystal clear water comes out.

It’s putting North Florida on the cutting edge of battling algae blooms, but hopefully, this is just the beginning.

New tech debuting in Tallahassee is what environmentalist are calling a “game changer” in tackling harmful algae bloom.

06/21/2021

Members of Congress asked Army Corps for more time to review 5 options for a new critical management schedule for Lake O to ensure all water needs are met, not just those of a small few on the coast.

The new Lake Okeechobee plan could last for a decade or longer. Environmental groups say they were excluded from private meeting.

06/18/2021

Powdered hydrogen peroxide is being applied to kill blue green algae in the Caloosahatchee. It is said to EPA approved and biodegrade within 3 to 4 hours.

Despite warning: 'This pesticide is toxic to birds (and) highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects,' officials laud Caloosahatchee algae treatment

06/17/2021

We’ve been advocating to protect water supplies for South Florida’s families and businesses. Now, we’re not only worried about having enough water, blue green algae is threatening the safety and quality of our water. After years hearing about plans and projects that will one day be built to protect our water, we’re finally seeing ideas to Stop Algae Now… not in 5 or 10 or 20 years! Thank you to local and state leaders who are piloting innovative solutions NOW!

If approved, the bubble curtains would be put in four canals within the city.

06/14/2021

Not really a viable solution for everyone. Unbelievable.

Fast-rising home prices allow a ritzy island to attempt climate adaptations few municipalities can afford.