Issue:
Bacteria Monitoring
Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB)
Bacteria contamination plaguing Florida waterways has arguably reached a crisis point. For example, Billy’s Creek and Manuel’s Branch, tributaries flowing into the Caloosahatchee near downtown Fort Myers, have long been a hot spot for Enterococci bacteria. Enterococcus is used as an indicator of fecal contamination which can carry disease-spreading bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Independent testing of several Lee County waterways is routinely performed by Calusa Waterkeeper staff and volunteer rangers. Test results are determined in our independent lab and at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) depending on the number of samples. Calusa Waterkeeper’s close watch of local creeks has compelled more monitoring by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Enterococci bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections and rashes. Fecal indicator bacteria tests high in several Southwest Florida creeks both in the wet and dry season, but is commonly driven by stormwater runoff which carries bacteria into area waterways.
Updates & Action
Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) Sampling
The data in this interactive map includes Calusa Waterkeeper test sites and publicly available data from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Click on a site to get more information and note the last date of sampling.
- It should be noted that we are not measuring or observing fecal matter in the water. These tests measure for fecal indicator bacteria, specifically enterococci.
- Bacteria sampling results show occurrences of serious contamination, especially in the upper reaches of Lee County tributaries.
- Contamination values have routinely been found at many times the EPA Beach Action Value of 70 MPN.
- Even with these high levels of contamination, few if any warning signs are typically posted.
- Both Lee County and municipal officials are aware of this issue.
FIB Sampling Archives
(click images to enlarge view)
Lee County 2024-09
Lee County 2024-08
Lee County 2024-07
Lee County 2024-06
Lee County 2024-05
Lee County 2024-04
Lee County 2024-03
Lee County 2024-02
Lee County 2024-01
Lee County 2023-12
Lee County 2023-11
Lee County 2023-10
Lee County 2023-09
Lee County 2023-08
Lee County 2023-07
Lee County 2023-06
Lee County 2023-05
Lee County 2023-04
Lee County 2023-03
Lee County 2023-02
Lee County 2023-01
Lee County 2022-11
Lee County 2022-11
Lee County 2022-10
Lee County 2022-10
Lee County 2022-09
Lee County 2022-08
Lee County 2022-07
Lee County 2022-05
Lee County 2022-04
Lee County 2022-03
Lee County 2022-02
Lee County 2022-01
Lee County 2021-11
Lee County 2021-10
Lee County 2021-08
Lee County 2021-07
Lee County 2021-06
Lee County 2021-05
Lee County 2021-04
Lee County 2021-03
Lee County 2021-02
Lee County 2021-01
Billy’s Creek 2020-09
Billy’s Creek 2020-08
Billy’s Creek 2020-07
Lee County 2020-03
Billy’s Creek 2020-03
Lee County 2020-02
Billy’s Creek 2020-02
Lee County 2020-01
Billy’s Creek 2020-01
Lee County 2019-12
Billy’s Creek 2019-12
Lee County 2019-11
Billy’s Creek 2019-11
Billy’s Creek 2019-10
Lee County 2019-10
Billy’s Creek 2019-09
Billy’s Creek 2019-08
Lee County 2019-08
Billy’s Creek 2019-07
Lee County 2019-07
Billy’s Creek 2019-06
Lee County 2019-06
Lee County 2019-05
Billy’s Creek 2019-05
Billy’s Creek 2019-04
Related News Stories
Fecal Indicator Bacteria
Calusa Waterkeeper to highlight ongoing severe fecal bacteria presence at Manuel’s Branch creek
Calusa Waterkeeper sampled water in Manuel’s Branch last month and found the level of Enterococcus measured 21 times higher than the Florida Department of Health’s safety level and 44 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s limit.
Calusa Waterkeeper To Host Manuel’s Branch Neighborhood Water Quality & Human Health Event
In an effort to keep children and families informed of troubled waters in Manuel’s Branch and other local waterbodies, Calusa Waterkeeper is hosting a Water Quality & Human Health Public Meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Fecal bacteria continues to be found in extremely high levels in Lee County waters
Every month the Calusa Waterkeeper tests our water for fecal indicator bacteria. And just this past month alone, 26 of 31 samples came back as poor to extremely poor. Similar results have been found each consecutive month for more than a year.
What’s the state of our water? Answers come from stakeholders at chamber event
Once a taken-for-granted bankable asset, Southwest Florida’s degraded water quality is now a critical, contentious topic. A recent Chamber of Southwest Florida event was a case in point. Five stakeholders from very different sectors gathered Wednesday to offer insights on challenges and solutions to a crowd of more than 100. Perspectives differed.
Cypress Bend community appears to be leaking sewage to Estero River
A small south Lee County neighborhood is polluting an adjacent property and, eventually, the Estero River with untreated wastewater.
Fort Myers asks state to extend deadline for water pollution fixes
Despite the city’s attention to the waterway, there’s been “no real change or improvement” in fecal bacteria levels, Waterkeeper Codty Pierce says.
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Bacteria Monitoring
Fecal Bacteria
Calusa Waterkeeper has been at the forefront of monitoring this Fort Myers tributary for fecal bacteria indicators.