Water quality on Marco Island , whether in the canals or in a glass is a big topic for residents who have lots of questions.
What is the gunk in my canal? What’s that smell in the air? Is phosphorous a problem in the water? What is reclaimed water and how is it made? What is the water impairment list City Council members talk about?
Jeff Poteet and Justin Martin can answer all these questions. Poteet is general manager of Marco Island’s water and sewer utilities, and Justin Martin is the city’s Public Works director. They recently spoke to the Naples Daily News.
Water impairment list
Marco Island was placed on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection ‘s (FDEP) water impairment list in 2019 after two years of higher than acceptable nitrogen levels in water that flows through the canal-heavy city. Too much nitrogen is bad for marine life and the plants they eat.
The 2022-2024 list is out, and Marco Island is moving to the study list because of a plan for improvement – called a 4e water alternative plan – submitted by the city and accepted by FDEP in 2023 . It will remain on the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection’s impairment list – 303(d) – while Florida officials evaluate the city’s progress towards attainment of water quality standards, according to the FDEP.