Florida Realtors has been a strong voice on the advocacy for Florida Water Quality for many years. This session, their consistent messaging and determination to address pressing environmental concerns resonated with lawmakers.
As with any state, Florida’s water crisis is complicated. The advocacy efforts of the Florida Realtors are taking a positive step. Its efforts to see the funding for the Everglades and beach restoration, protection for the springs and a task force to study the algae/red tide as a positive step in the right direction.
Florida Water Quality Funding
- $686 Million Total Environmental Funding
- $322 Million Everglades Restoration, includes beginning phases of Everglades Agriculture Reservoir
- $50 Million Beach Restoration
- $100 Million Springs Protection
- $10 Million Blue Green Algae/Red Tide Task Force
- $40 Million Raising the Tamiami Trail
- $25 Million Septic-to-Sewer Local and State Match Program
- $49 Million More than 80 local projects ranging from water restoration to septic-to-sewer conversion
Additional information on the water quality around Florida
Here are a few of the sources for additional information about the water quality around the state. We’d love your input.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s agency for environmental management to protecting our air, water, and land. Their vision is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.
Clean Water Act
This is a federal program that has a major impact on Florida and felt it was relevant to mention here as well. The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters and regulating quality standards for surface waters.
As a result of this, the EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. The EPA has also developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters. In addition, the CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters.
Florida Beach Water Quality
The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts. For Florida Beach Water Quality see the latest updates here.
This beforementioned website displays information about the results of routine bacterial monitoring. This site also includes links for additional information on other water quality issues such as red tide, blue-green algae, brown alga, and vibrio vulnificus bacteria.
In Conclusion
Florida has relied on its clear blue water beaches to draw the residents and vacationers over the years. As a result, the local economy has reaped the benefits. While climate evolves, we need to recognize the hard work and commitment it takes to maintain and improve those conditions. It just takes a little effort to get the ball rolling and the Florida Realtors are picking up steam. Most importantly, the awareness if everyone makes an effort, we’ll see dramatic results.
