• Lake Okeechobee’s Discharges

The volume being discharged from the lake is of great concern. The inundation of fresh water into brackish water ecosystems destroys the base level organisms of the food chain creating conditions for the formation of blue/green algae.

• Mid/North Indian River Lagoon Fish kills

Caused by brown tide, a specific algae that produces a mucus which clogs up shellfish and diminishes the oxygen levels harming the rest of the fish in the ecosystem.

• Oyster availability in Apalachicola

There has been a steady decline in oysters available for consumption due to drought and dams, limiting fresh water in oyster areas. The state of Florida continually battles with Georgia to guarantee a certain amount of water from the Apalachicola River to ensure oyster irrigation in Apalachicola Bay.

• Aquifer Depletion/Destabilization

Florida’s natural water cleaner is losing its capability to supply all residents with clean water due to salt water intrusion, high volume consumption permits (examples: bottled water, pulp mills, and agriculture) and less recharge areas due to development.

• Spring depletion

There has been a steady depletion in the springs ecosystems due to a reduction in the aquifer water supplies.

• Salt Water Intrusion

Salt water back up through storm water and waste water systems is most prominent in Miami, however Tampa and Jacksonville are catching up, and other coastal cities face this battle as well.
Underground exits from the aquifer create a threshold between saltwater and freshwater deep within the limestone. Those thresholds are being pushed back due to the lack of freshwater to mount an equalizing pressure.

• Water Shortages for Human Use

Potable water – Current ground water supplies are estimated to be depleted at the current rate of consumption, somewhere between 2030-2040.

• Reef destruction

Reefs provide habitat for species that help clean up pollution in the sea, the destruction of reefs by water pollution is especially detrimental.
Current stormwater run off and design ends with the water ultimately flowing over our endangered reef systems or fragile estuaries.

• High Nitrogen/Nutrient and Pollution in all areas.

Septic tanks, agricultural run-off and residential and storm water run-off from both industries and citizens include high levels of phosphates and nitrates which leads to an increase in toxicity that algae, especially the dangerous kinds seem to thrive in.