WQ Sub-Committee Agenda 09/03/2019COLLIER COUNTY OFFICIALS COULD TAKE ADDITIONAL
STEPS TO DEAL WITH TOXIC ALGAE AND RED TIDE
PROBLEMS
I. Uniform sampling and testing procedures
With input from Naples, Marco and DEP officials, devise uniform
sampling and testing procedures for water quality throughout
Collier County.
II. Health warnings
Develop countywide program for signage warnings of unsafe
health conditions at beaches, inlets and estuaries.
Develop countywide program for sampling and testing of algae for
toxic organisms that could impact human health, and subsequent
reporting.
III. Preventative measures, e.g., reducing nutrient runoff
Improve fertilizer ordinance enforcement.
Investigate reducing nutrient content in irrigation water.
Take steps to reduce vegetative waste in storm sewers.
Regulate septic tanks (e.g., sewer hookups for new units).
Float proposal for Wastewater Utility fees.
UNIFORM SAMPLING AND TESTING PROCEDURES
Measures to protect and improve coastal water quality in Collier County
depend on reliable, reproducible and acceptable data. That data comes from
sampling and testing the water. Unfortunately, procedures for sampling and
testing are not uniform. In turn, their credibility is suspect.
Different government and private entities sample at different times from
different locations. Chains-of-custody differ. And actual testing procedures
differ.
Uniformity is essential. And this uniformity must align with protocols and
standards from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
One means of ensuring this uniformity is to task relevant officials from
Naples, Marco Island and unincorporated Collier County, with devising
uniform sampling and testing protocols that are consistent with DEP
standards. The task could be overseen by an outside expert (there are several
to draw from). Funding the consultant would be the primary, perhaps only,
expense.
HEALTH WARNINGS
Concerns are increasing about human health risks associated with exposure
to toxic algae and red tide. They include minor risks, like temporary ocular
and respiratory irritation, to serious risks, like long-term neurodegenerative
diseases associated with toxins found in various forms of algae.
Although there is no definitive link between the toxins and serious disease at
this time, there is enough evidence to warrant development of systems to (1)
warn the public and (2) determine whether potentially dange rous toxins are
present in algae to which the public has been exposed.
Warning the public could take the form of relevant county staff, ideally
working with counterparts in Naples and Marco Island, devising uniform
warning signs for the shoreline, bays and estuaries, and setting up guidelines
for when and where the signs would be emplaced.
Determining whether potentially dangerous toxins are present in algae to
which the public has been exposed could entail establishing sampling and
testing protocols and a reporting system. For example, someone contacts the
county about algae in a coastal inlet by their home or in a retention pond by
an estuary. The algae is sampled, tested by an established protocol, and the
results are reported.
Setting up such a system would involve county, Naples and Marco Island
officials working together to ensure uniformity and a medical consultant to
advise on toxin testing and potentially harmful levels.
Clearly such a project would require funding, likely minimal and probably
cost-effective.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Reducing Nutrient Runoff
It’s well-established that nutrients feed algae, and soluble nutrients in
fertilizer, irrigation and fecal and vegetative waste runoff are major
contributors to toxic algae growth and to red tide when it ne ars the shore.
In turn, reducing nutrient runoff will help, to some degree, control growth
and spread of troublesome algae.
Below are five steps local government could take to reduce nutrient runoff.
They are listed in order of easiest and most straightforward to most difficult
and costly.
(1) Enforce fertilizer ordinance(s)
The county recently approved an excellent and comprehensive fertilizer
ordinance, covering use restrictions and applicator training and certification.
Naples and Marco Island have similar ordinances, with some significant
differences. The Achilles Heel of all of the ordinances is enforcement. They
are, for the most part, unenforceable. People pay little attention to them.
What is clearly needed is many more inspection and enforcement officials.
This is a problem that’s easy to fix, but it would add budgetary expense.
(2) Reduce nutrient content in recycled irrigation water
Partial cleanup of wastewater for recycle and irrigation does not appreciably
remove dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. That mean irrigation water,
loaded with nutrients, is itself a contributor to algae growth. While local
governments have advised homeowners and maintenance companies to take
into account nutrient loading in irrigation water when applying fertilizer, few
applicators pay much attention. Moreover, misdirected irrigation heads
routinely spray nutrient-laden water directly into streets and, in turn, storm
sewers. The county should estimate cost for removing nutrients from
irrigation water (chemical precipitation, activated carbon or diatomaceous
earth adsorption, membrane treatment). Cost estimating would involve some
consultant expense. Fixing the problem may be cost prohibitive.
(3) Reduce vegetative waste in storm sewers
Leaves, grass clippings and other vegetative waste often find their way into
storm sewers and, as they decompose, release nutrients that feed algae
growth. Containing such waste is a simple expedient for helping deal with
the problem. The fix could be reinstituting the county’s comprehensive
street-sweeping program. It could also take the form of placing and
periodically cleaning filters on manhole covers and stormwater drains. In
both cases, some expense would be entailed.
(4) Regulate septic tanks
Another source of nutrient runoff comes from unmaintained septic tanks. An
estimated 13% of units in Collier County dispose of their waterborne waste
in septic tanks. Naples has an active program to convert homes with septics
to sewer systems. A bill in the 2019 legislature session requiring inspection
and reporting of Florida septic systems failed to pass. To deal with the
problem locally, the county could mandate that new construction be hooked
up to sewers and/or that existing units on septics have their systems
periodically inspected and, if warranted, pumped out. This would be a
difficult fix, involving costly expansion of the county sewer system or an
added expense for the homeowner.
(5) Float proposal for Wastewater Utility fee
The county has investigated establishing a stormwater utility to manage and
upgrade its aging system. This would require a separate taxpayer fee to
provide the necessary funding. A detailed consultant report (March 2018)
spelled out the advantages of such an upgrade in managing stormwater
runoff and, in turn, controlling pollution. The county elected not to pursue
this, fearing public pushback on an added tax. This could be resurrected and
put to the public again. At this time, its acceptance is probably a long shot.
COASTAL ADVISORY WATER QUALITY SUB-COMMITTEE AGENDA
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WATERQUALITY SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING (CAC)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 - 1:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
FIFTH FLOOR, COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
3299 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, NAPLES
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
IV. Changes and Approval of Agenda
V. Public Comments
VI. Approval of CAC Minutes
VII. Staff Reports
VIII. New Business
1. Reminder of CAC role and limitations (advise BCC only, coastal focus, treatment/prevention, no
funded programs).
2. Reference to backgrounder sent out in advance of meeting.
3. Discussion of possible advice that might favorably impact WQ issues (fertilizer enforcement,
nutrient removal from irrigation water, support stormwater utility upgrade, reinstitute street-sweeping).
4. Next steps, e.g., interviews, gathering more information.
5. Timing of future Sub-Committee meetings.
IX. Old Business
X. Announcements
XI. Committee Member Discussion
XII. Next Meeting Date/Location
TBD
XIII. Adjournment
All interested parties are invited to attend, and to register to speak and to submit their objections, if any, in
writing, to the board prior to the meeting if applicable.
For more information, please contact Gail D. Hambright at (239) 252-2966.
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this
proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the
Collier County Facilities Management Department located at 3301 East Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34112,
(239) 252-8380.
Public comments will be limited to 3 minutes unless the Chairman grants permission for additional time.
Collier County Ordinance No. 99-22 requires that all lobbyists shall, before engaging in any lobbying
activities (including, but not limited to, addressing the Board of County Commissioners) before the Board
of County Commissioners and its advisory boards, register with the Clerk to the Board at the Board
Minutes and Records Department.
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