Calusa Waterkeeper to Conduct Source Tracing of Fecal Bacteria in Billy’s Creek

Water Quality Testing Aims to Help Protect Community

Fecal contamination has been a significant health risk issue for Billy’s Creek since at least 2001 and there has been ongoing dialogue regarding the source of the contamination. The Calusa Waterkeeper study will use a stable isotope of nitrogen to differentiate the variable origins of nitrogen in the Billy’s Creek basin.

The testing determines if the nitrogen is from raw domestic sewage, wildlife, septic tanks, treated wastewater or agricultural sources and will be compared to a concurrent study in the Caloosahatchee River.

The Creek drains a large region of east Fort Myers, from Interstate 75 to the downtown area. The Creek is a part of Lee County’s Great Calusa Blueway a recreational source for canoe and kayak paddlers.

Science in the service of social justice. Billy’s Creek also flows through the predominantly African American and historic neighborhood of Dunbar. Calusa Waterkeeper has long been concerned that degradation of the Creek could have potentially harmful public health impacts for this community.