Water Quality

Water quality within the South Florida Ecosystem has been compromised by a variety of nutrients and pollutants. Excess phosphorus, often evidenced by excessive cattail growth or widespread algal blooms, is a major concern for the central Everglades and the ecosystem’s lakes and estuaries.

Major nutrient reduction programs are described below. Additional programs and information can be found within the Water Quality section of the Task Force’s Biennial Report.

Restoration Strategies

Restoration Strategies is a consensus plan developed collaboratively by the State of Florida and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Under this program, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is designing, constructing, and operating a suite of regional water storage, treatment, and conveyance improvement projects to further improve water quality in America’s Everglades.

Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs)

STAs are constructed treatment wetlands that remove and store nutrients through plant growth and the conversion of dead plant material into soil. The SFWMD has converted approximately 68,000 acres of land south of Lake Okeechobee from row crop fields to STAs, yielding 63,000 acres of effective treatment wetlands.

Northern Everglades and Esturaries Protection Program (NEEPP)

The Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) recognizes that the Lake Okeechobee, Caloosahatchee River, and St. Lucie River watersheds are critical water resources of the State of Florida. This program builds upon and consolidates numerous restoration activities into a comprehensive, regional approach.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are source control efforts to reduce the amount of pollutants (pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, etc.) in agricultural or urban runoff. Agricultural BMPs are designed to increase efficiency in nutrient and irrigation water management to balance agricultural production with water resource protection.

• SFMWD BMP Programs

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPS)

BMAPs, adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for several water bodies in the South Florida Ecosystem, promote a comprehensive, interconnected watershed approach for identifying upstream measures to improve water quality in, and hydrology to, downstream water bodies. BMAPs are a framework for water quality restoration, containing local and state commitments to reduce pollutant loading.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP)

The FKNMS WQPP is a congressionally authorized program that is dedicated to protecting and improving water quality, coral reefs, seagrasses, fisheries, and recreational opportunities within the FKNMS and adjacent boundary waters.