South Florida's environment and economy depend on a healthy water supply. Now, the quality and supply of our region's water are being jeopardized by a plan to pump polluted agricultural run-off Caloosahatchee Algae Bloom (click to enlarge)into our lakes and rivers. 

The South Florida Water Management District will consider a proposal to dispose of polluted agricultural wastewater by pumping it back into Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. This water is full of toxic nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous from excessive use of fertilizers. Too much pollution can cause harmful green algae blooms that lead to massive fish kills, threaten public health, and impact our local economy.

This practice of "backpumping" polluted water was abolished in 2007 for the right reasons -- it was deemed dangerous to public health and detrimental to ongoing Everglades restoration efforts. Florida's decision-makers should focus on water conservation and pollution-prevention measures that ensure our region's water supply is protected, instead of reviving the practice of redirecting polluted water into our lakes, rivers, and Everglades.

Please contact the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District today. Speak out on this important issue to protect South Florida's water supply and our treasured Everglades.

The meeting to consider the backpumping proposal will be held August 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the South Florida Water Management District Headquarters in West Palm Beach. Please join us to speak out for protection of our water. Check out the meeting agenda for more information.

For more information, contact Cara Capp at (561) 672-7638 or ccapp@cleanwater.org.

Photo: Earthjustice