Study Shows Bad Septic Tanks Polluting Water

Bacteria are dirtying Southwest Florida waterways, a new study shows.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University presented results of the study to Lee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday to show the sources of bacteria polluting the Caloosahatchee River.

John Cassani with Calusa Waterkeeper says some of the septic tanks could be up to 60 years old.

“A proportion of those septic tanks are probably not working like they were intended to,” Cassani said. “Probably most of them need to be inspected, and if they’re not functioning right, I think some things can be done to make them work better and more efficiently.”