Calusa Waterkeeper 25th Anniversary Commemorative Report

Billy’s Creek has a long history of serious environmental contamination. Leaky sewer lines and old septic tanks likely contribute to the presence of enterococci group bacteria (EGB). EGB lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and can indicate possible contamination of surface waters by fecal waste. Surface waters contaminated with EGB create a health risk and can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections and rashes. Calusa Waterkeeper examined County and City water- quality data dating back to 2001 and found documentation of continuously high EGB levels. Government authorities have known about Billy’s Creek EGB contamination for years and have failed to adequately inform the public. CWK began regular water- quality monitoring of the Creek after receiving reports of raw sewage discharged into the Creek as a consequence of the sewage lift stations failing after Hurricane Irma. EGB levels remain dangerously high. CWK calls on the City and County to conduct an assessment of the condition and capacity of the sewer system in the Billy’s Creek watershed. Leaks need to be repaired, but this must only be an interim measure. For too long utility officials have tried to extend sewer life with patchwork repairs. Depending on the assessment’s findings, the City may have to bring its sewer infrastructure up to modern standards. Sewage upgrades will prove expensive but delaying upgrades may prove even more costly. As politically difficult as funding may be, the health risks posed by EGB necessitate it. Furthermore, the City could find itself in violation of the federal Clean Water Act as was the case with St. Petersburg and Gulfport. The Suncoast Waterkeeper sued these municipalities over sewer issues. In June 2020, CWK, through a grant from the Southwest Community Foundation, commenced source tracing of fecal indicator bacteria in the Creek. The study uses a stable isotope of nitrogen to differentiate variable origins of nitrogen in the Billy’s Creek basin and is part of an overall plan for the eventual restoration of Billy’s Creek to protect the quality of life for all the residents who live along its banks . Adding a social justice component to this work, Billy’s Creek flows through the predominantly African American and historic neighborhood of Dunbar. Calusa Waterkeeper has long been concerned that legacy fecal bacteria contamination in the Creek could have potentially harmful public health impacts for the scores of families that live and work along the banks of Billy’s Creek. Historic Billy’s Creek, named for the Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs who surrendered to the US Army in 1858 near the Creek’s mouth, runs for approximately five miles from its headwaters in the Lucket Road Industrial Park to the Creek mouth on the Caloosahatchee River near the Beau Rivage and Altamar condominiums. A portion of the Creek’s upper reach lies in unincorporated Lee County with the remainder in the City of Fort Myers. UP BILLY’S CREEK - NO PADDLE Gene Gibson BILLY’S CREEK IN HAPPIER TIMES Sept 5, 2012 Amy Bennett Williiams presents her book “Along the Caloosahathee” to CRCA members July 23, 2012 Earth Justice and others sue ACOE over Caloosahatchee water degradation Jan 1, 2012 CRCA intern Chloe Delhomme publishes Master Thesis on Caloosahatchee oxbows August 13, 2013 Lee BOCC decides to cut funding for Conservation 20/20 Sept 28, 2013 Ralf Brooks, CRCA & other orgs again petition FDEP again to replace Ceitus Boat lift Nov 9, 2014 Keith Kibbey hosts 18 th River Ride April 1, 2014 CRCA Director Cassani pens News Press Guest Opinion July 31, 2014 Largest Red Tide bloom in Fl waters since 2006