by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 3, 2024 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured, Policy, Water Testing
Originally published in the Invading Sea by John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus on July 1, 2024 Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the Safe Waterways Act, which was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature Florida public health policy took a blow recently when Gov....
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 26, 2024 | Bacteria Monitoring, Policy, Water Testing
The Safe Waterways Act Needs Your 9th Inning Support! After years of advocating for improvements to public health notifications in the state of Florida, HB 165 finally passed the FL House and Senate earlier this year. But now Calusa Waterkeeper has learned this...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 29, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on September 29, 2023 by Amy Bennett Williams Don’t go in the water warns Lee County’s health department: There’s too much fecal bacteria and it might make you sick. According to routine tests Thursday, Bowditch...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 7, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on June 7, 2023 This month out of the 30 sites throughout the watershed tested by the Calusa Waterkeeper, 23% passed and 77% failed. One of the newest sites continues to unveil high FIB numbers — North Fort Myers Riverbend...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Feb 3, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on February 3, 2023 by Chad Gillis Some tributaries flowing into the Caloosahatchee River and Estero Bay are polluted with fecal coliform bacteria, with counts going well above criteria used to determine whether or not a beach is...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 27, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by NBC-2 News on January 27, 2023 Southwest Florida water experts are warning beachgoers, boaters, and the like – go in at your own risk. Calusa Waterkeeper and the Department of Health samplings show how even at beaches like Lynn Hall Beach Park,...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 24, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured
January bacteria sampling results are in! We added several exciting new locations this month. We encourage you to check out the results for Bunche Beach, Hendry Creek, Mullock Creek, Spring Creek, and Estero River. Plus, take a look at Pine Island: the results were...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 26, 2022 | Press
Originally published by ABC-7 News on September 26, 2022 Fecal bacteria is back in Lee County waters, and it’s worse than you think. Over the weekend, the Calusa Waterkeeper, an environmental watchdog in Lee County, surveyed recreational waterways around Lee County...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 8, 2022 | Press
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams If you want to swim in poop-, red tide- or cyanobacteria-contaminated waters, Florida’s health department isn’t going to stop you – in Lee County, at least. When enteric bacteria levels...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 20, 2022 | Press
Originally published by FOX4 News on July 20, 2022 Last week, Fox 4 told you about high fecal bacteria found at Bonita Beach which led to the Florida Department of Health to advise against swimming in the water. The Calusa Waterkeepers, a local conservation group,...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 19, 2022 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on July 19, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The bad news: Sometimes there are unsafe levels of poop at the region’s beaches. The good news: It’s no secret. That means would-be recreators can arm themselves with knowledge...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 20, 2022 | Featured, Press
Calusa Waterkeeper Finds High Levels of Bacteria in Billy’s Creek Originally published by WINK News on April 20, 2022 A creek isn’t clearing up after years of problems. The Calusa Waterkeeper says there’s a high level of contamination in Billy Creek. The place...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 7, 2022 | Featured
Sadly, we’re here to report that the Safe Waterways Act (SB 604) appears to be dead for the 2022 Florida legislative session. Still, your calls, emails, and efforts got it passed in Senate Committee, which is a big victory for this bill and our work together!...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 19, 2022 | Featured
The Safe Waterways Act (SB 604) has yet to be heard in the Florida State Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Without this committee’s support we may lose this legislation on fecal pollution. Please call or email today to urge Chairman Jason...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 3, 2021 | Featured, Press
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on November 3, 2021 and written by John Cassani Florida passed landmark legislation in 1985 titled the Florida Right To Know Law (RTK). The RTK requires employers to provide adequate notice to employees regarding...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 27, 2021 | Press
Florida Bill Wants Signs Posted by Creeks and Waters Contaminated by Fecal Bacteria Originally published by WINK News on October 25, 2021 A new bill is calling for warning signs about what’s lurking underneath the surface of Florida’s waterways. If the Safe Waterways...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 10, 2021 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured, Policy
Fecal bacteria contamination in Florida waters is widespread. In coastal estuaries 1,171,692 acres are determined impaired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and 9,262 miles of Florida’s streams and rivers are impaired for fecal...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 10, 2021 | Featured, Water Testing
An Op-Ed written by John Cassani and originally published in The News-Press on March 10, 2021 For generations, Floridians have worshiped Florida’s iconic waters. They are likely the reason many people came to Florida, to swim, fish, paddle, ski, dive and enjoy all...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 29, 2021 | Featured, Press
Group Calls for More Signs to Indicate What’s in Local Waterways Originally published by FOX4 News on January 29, 2021 One benefit to living in Southwest Florida is the opportunity to enjoy life on or near the water. While we often think of beaches when we think...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 27, 2021 | Water Testing
Billy’s Creek Enterococci Sampling Results, January 2021 Calusa Waterkeeper sampling results for enterococci bacteria on 1-23-21. Levels above 70 MPN represent a threshold for poor conditions that could cause FDOH to close a coastal beach. Unfortunately, FDOH...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 14, 2020 | Featured, Press
Fort Myers Leaders & Environmental Groups Collaborate for Billy’s Creek Clean-up Originally published by FOX4 News on Decemeber 14, 2020 The contaminated water in Billy’s Creek today, is not the same water Councilman Johnny Streets remembers seeing as a...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 13, 2020 | Press
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Found in Water at Pine Island Park Originally published by WINK News on October 13, 2020 Swimmers, beware: What’s in the water would not only make your stomach turn – it could make you sick. The water at a Pine Island park has tested positive...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 25, 2020 | Featured, Planning
For many years, Calusa Waterkeeper has been advocating about alarmingly high levels of fecal indicator bacteria in Billy’s Creeks in Fort Myers. Recently our Billy’s Creek committee has engaged in a number of meetings with City of Fort Myers Council and...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 8, 2020 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Calusa Waterkeeper and City of Fort Myers find Differing Fecal Bacteria Data Originally published by WINK News on Septtember 8, 2020 Efforts to clean up Billy’s Creek are getting a boost. The City of Fort Myers and Calusa Waterkeeper are working together...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 8, 2020 | Press
Originally published in The News-Press by Bill Smith on September 8, 2020 Fort Myers officials went on the offensive Tuesday in an effort to counter claims that bacteria, including fecal material, is flowing from the Billy’s Creek watershed to the Caloosahatchee...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 23, 2020 | Featured
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 16 Catch up with John Cassani and all things water quality in this episode of Words from the Waterkeeper. Updates on the significant Lake Okeechobee algae bloom along with fecal bacteria contamination in local waterways and...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 10, 2020 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Calusa Waterkeeper Tests for Source of Billy’s Creek Contamination Originally published by WINK News on June 10, 2020 Fecal bacteria contamination in Billy’s Creek has been a concern for years, and a local group, Calusa Waterkeeper, is working to fix the problem. They...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 10, 2020 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured, Press
‘Staggering’ Amount of Fecal Bacteria Found in Billy’s Creek in Fort Myers Originally published by NBC-2 News on June 10, 2020 “What’s in the water? That’s the question members of Calusa Waterkeeper set out to answer Wednesday...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 9, 2020 | Bacteria Monitoring, Science
Water Quality Testing Aims to Help Protect Community On Wednesday, June 10, Calusa Waterkeeper will conduct the first phase of a study to determine the source of the fecal bacteria contamination of Billy’s Creek. Fecal contamination has been a significant health risk...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 22, 2020 | Bacteria Monitoring, Water Testing
Poor results at every station on Billy’s Creek this month. Extremely high contamination at the Ortiz and Ortiz Circle stations as is almost always the case. Thanks to retired engineers and CWK Rangers Chris and Ed Shinouskis for their help in collecting and...
