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. The event will take place at Garden Council located at 2166 Virginia Avenue, Fort Myers, FL near Manuel’s Branch, a narrow, wooded creek that meanders westward along the southern boundary of Fort Myers High School and Edison Park neighborhood before it empties into the Caloosahatchee River. The event is open to the public at no cost.

The purpose of this event is to address persistent and alarmingly high levels of fecal bacteria results in Manuel’s Branch. These elevated bacteria levels can pose significant health risks, particularly to people and pets who may swim, wade or fish in these waters. Potential health issues include gastrointestinal problems, nausea, headaches, fever, ear infections, cough, or more severe reactions. The presence of fecal pollution in recreational waters increases the risk of infection from a variety of bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Calusa Waterkeeper will provide an overview of the current water conditions, highlight associated health risks, and share essential prevention tips. Attendees will also learn actionable steps to report pollution and health concerns, and how to advocate for swift action from authorities to address and resolve the source of the bacteria pollution.

The sources of this bacteria contamination may vary and likely include both human and non-human causes. Calusa Waterkeeper is collaborating with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the City of Fort Myers to compel them to address this issue more expediently to restore and protect these surface waters.

The Manuel’s Branch corridor, which includes Lee Health, Fort Myers High School, and a community park, is an important part of the local environment and serves as a recreational space for families and individuals. Ensuring its safety and cleanliness is crucial for maintaining public health and the quality of life in our community. What we learn in these restoration efforts can also inform similar efforts in other polluted waterbodies in Southwest Florida. This would include restoring and protecting waters such as Billy’s Creek, Whiskey Creek, Hendry Creek, Mullock Creek and the Estero River, as human activities continue to degrade their water quality.

We encourage all residents, particularly those living and playing near Manuel’s Branch, to attend this informative event. Your participation will help ensure that we can address these concerns effectively and work towards a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.

To view Calusa Waterkeeper’s independent fecal indicator bacteria results, please visit calusawaterkeeper.org/fib/