Enterococcus

Three areas along the Peace River, seen here winding through a forest near Charley Creek, were added to the bi-annual list due to the presence of bacteria showinfg the water is exposed to human feces

Environment

Bacteria marking human waste is top reason Southwest Florida creeks and bays are on new list of polluted waters

Tom Bayles

The FDEP found 41 areas in state waters exceeded polluttion limits in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties alone

A view of the enterococcus bacteria under a high-powered microscope

Environment

Health advisory for fecal bacteria at Residents Beach on Marco Island no longer in effect

Tom Bayles

Beachgoers at Residents Beach on Marco Island have the all-clear to return to the water after an advisory against swimming due to enterococcus levels

A type of dangerous enterococcus bacteria like that discovered along Fort Myers Beach by routine water quality testing can be seen in this image taken with an electron microscope

Health

Collier health officials lift water advisory at Clam Pass beach

WGCU Staff

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County is lifting a water quality advisory for North Gulf Shore Beach Access Clam Pass Beach North Gulfshore Boulevard in Naples.

Environment

Lee County health officials lift health advisory for the water at Lynn Hall Memorial Beach

Tom Bayles

Water-quality testing in Southwest Florida occasionally reports high concentrations of enterococcus bacteria, which are found inside the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, similar to the spike in the bacteria discovered off Fort Myers Beach this week. New testing found the levels dropped and an advisory lifted.

On the north tip of Estero Island, the 17‑acre Bowditch Point Regional Park encompasses a public beach that's among Fort Myers Beach’s popular stretches of sand

Environment

Water quality advisory for sewage-related bacteria lifted at Bowditch Point Park

Tom Bayles

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County said that tests completed this week found the previously high level of enterococcus has decreased to an acceptable level, and it has lifted its advisory.

Manuel's Branch is a creek that is part of the City of Fort Myers drainage system running between U.S. 41 and the Caloosahatchee River that, for unknown reasons, keeps testing very high for fecal bacteria. Calusa Waterkeeper is holding an informational meeting about the problem on Oct. 15.

Environment

Calusa Waterkeeper to highlight ongoing severe fecal bacteria presence at Manuel's Branch creek

Tom Bayles

Calusa Waterkeeper will explain the current water conditions, outline health risks, and share tips about the drainage creek, which measures Enterococcus levels 21 times higher than Florida allows.

Here we go again. Like Hurricane Idalia last year, the tropical system named Debby on Saturday is sure to rile up the ocean and turn the sky menacing colors during its brush by of Southwest Florida on its way to landfall in the Big Bend. But this time, even without a direct hit, the effect of the storm on the beach of Southwest Florida could be more like the months after Hurricane Ian

Environment

Water Quality Report: Hurricanes, polluted waters, red tides. Sound familiar?

Tom Bayles

A lot surrounding Hurricane Debby's arrival brings back memories of Hurricanes Ian and Idalia and the water quality problems they caused. Will it happen again?

A large vessel remained grounded near the boat ramps several months after Hurricane Ian destroyed the Cape Coral Yacht Club in September 2023

Environment

Health officials give all-clear after retesting water near Cape Coral Yacht Club

Tom Bayles

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has lifted a water quality advisory for the Cape Coral Yacht Club.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club before Hurricane Ian destroyed the popular public venue on September 29, 2023

Environment

Fecal contamination discovered in water at Cape Coral Yacht Club

Tom Bayles

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a water quality advisory for the Cape Coral Yacht Club due to enterococcus bacteria.

Environment

Water Quality Report: How much water released from Lake O into the Caloosahatchee River is too much?

Tom Bayles

This is the Water Quality Report that will be updated weekly to highlight harmful algae blooms such as red tide, blue-green algae, and other fresh water and saltwater problems.