Originally published by Fort Myers News-Press by Chad Gillis on May 30, 2024
Bloom conditions and the presence of fecal coliform is only reported by the Florida Department of Health in Lee County when it occurs at places like Bonita Beach or Fort Myers Beach. Conditions in tributaries ― many of them used heavily by paddlers, boaters and anglers ― aren’t checked by the public agency.
Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce and his group of volunteers keep tabs on water conditions in popular recreational waterbodies that aren’t monitored by DOH.
He reports that Estero Bay tributaries are filled with potentially harmful bacteria, and that water conditions seem to be getting worse over time.
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