Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Documentary About Algae and Public Health Debuts to Sold-out Crowd
It wasn’t billed as a horror movie, but “Troubled Waters” drew its share of gasps from a sold-out audience at its premiere. Calusa Waterkeeper’s new documentary explores last year’s disastrous water crises and the potential health consequences to those who lived through the harmful algal blooms.
Calusa Waterkeeper Summit Explores the Impact of Algae on your Health
On Monday night, there was a line out the door for the Calusa Waterkeeper Summit. With last year fresh on the minds of many, a panel of scientists and water experts gave people the chance to ask questions after watching its new documentary, “Troubled Waters.”
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 5
In this week's episode of Words from the Waterkeeper, John Cassani provides updates on current water conditions in the region and talks about upcoming events.
U.S. Sugar Files Lawsuit Against Army Corps over Lake Okeechobee Management
U.S. Sugar filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, claiming a violation of regulations and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The ACOE has deviated from the LORS 2008 schedule to help curb discharges to the East & West coast during a HAB event on Lake O.
Army Corps Places Blue-green Algae Warning Signs at Franklin Lock
The ACOE posted signs warning people of potential blue-green algae at Franklin Lock. It’s something Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani has been waiting years for. While he’s seen warning signs from the county, he said its the first time he’s seen a warning from a state or federal agency.
New Medical Code will Monitor Toxic Algae Sickness
Healthcare providers have a new medical code to document illnesses related to red tide or blue-green algae: Z77.121. “The more data that’s collected, the more incidents of health problems caused by toxic algae, the better the grasp healthcare providers and government agencies have on the extent of the problem,” said K.C. Schulberg, executive director of Calusa Waterkeeper.
Tickets Going Fast for Calusa Waterkeeper Summit & Documentary Debut
It’s a problem we can’t ignore. Scientific evidence showing the health risks of harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida waterways will be the focus of Calusa Waterkeeper’s “Public Health Alert – Florida Water Summit 2.”
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 4
In this week's installment, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani shares the latest bacteria readings from 18 stations in Lee County, updates on the blue-green algae bloom in Lake Okeechobee and upcoming events you won't want to miss.
Vibrio: Florida’s Scariest Threat hasn’t Caused any Deaths in 2019
Flesh-eating disease is a scary-sounding threat, and as summer heats up, Vibrio is back in the news. But should it be? Though it’s been grabbing headlines recently in news stories and viral Facebook posts, there hasn’t been a single confirmed vibrio death in Florida this year.
Concerns Moore Haven Lock Released Water Despite Army Corps Reports
John Cassani flew in a small airplane over Moore Haven on Saturday and noticed the Moore Haven lock was open. “The lock was wide open. Which means the water can leave the lake and come into the river directly through the lock chamber,” Cassani said.
Army Corps Acknowledges Toxic Algae and Nutrients in Lake O Releases
The U.S. ACOE acknowledged it has released water from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers that has contained toxic cyanobacteria. In a hearing about the releases from Lake Okeechobee, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast questioned Maj. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the Corps.
No Warning Signs at Many SWFL Waterways Containing Fecal Matter
Enter at your own risk – that is one woman’s message as she fears a stretch of the Estero River is polluted with waste and sewage that can make people sick. FDEP calls the waterway, “verified impaired.” It means the water is polluted with bacteria above what the state claims are safe.