Clean Water
In Fort Lauderdale, when we think about dealing with water sustainably, we are concerned with three main topics: dealing with the threat of flooding from the combined effects of sea level rise, storms and high tides; conserving fresh water amidst the challenge of a growing population; and, keeping our water resources clean. This section of our website deals with the third topic.
Clean water, meaning water free of contaminants, pathogens and toxins, is important because we use water in so many ways on a daily basis. We drink water, cook with water, bathe in water and immerse ourselves in it for recreational purposes. Water drives our tourism economy, helps to cool our air, and supports our lush landscape and unique wildlife. Water is used in manufacturing and in many service businesses. It is essential to healthcare and fire fighting.
It is easy to assume that our water is naturally clean in Fort Lauderdale, and to take for granted all of the clean water we have available to us, but water can become polluted easily from spills, dumping, run-off, faulty equipment, and plain old lack of knowledge. Our Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments, as well as our Sustainability Division work extensively to meet all environmental standards and regulations for clean water, and they can use your help. By following the tips we provide in this section of our website, it will be easy!
Drink Up! The Water's Great. Find out how we provision clean water for household use, see a copy of our water quality report, and learn about things like free chlorination.
Be the solution to pollution. At home or at work, this is an area where everyone can get involved. Keeping chemicals, grease, fertiliizers, pesticides, trash and all manner of debris out of our stormwater system is critical to keeping our groundwater and waterways clean and safe for everyone.
Be a steward of the seas, and the intracoastal, and the river, and the canals. It's easy when you visit our Clean Marinas, use our pump-out stations, and follow our Green Your Boating routine tips.
More Information
Florida's Water - Ours to Protect
This website offers a primer on all clean water and waterway regulations from the federal to the municipal, as well as a history of Florida's water challenges and an overview of current issues. You can also learn about what a variety of agencies are doing to protect and restore waterways.
The U.S. EPA offers this brief overview of our nation's water and waterways, focusing on statistics related to cleanliness and quality.
Nutrients Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida
According to this U.S. EPA site: "Excess nitrogen and phosphorus, or "nutrient pollution," are the primary causes of water quality impairments throughout the state and cause algae blooms -- the thick, green muck that fouls clear water. Nutrient pollution threatens human health and the environment, hurts businesses, costs jobs, reduces property values and otherwise impacts the quality of life for all Floridians." The site introduces the water quality standards that protect our surface waters.