Florida is the flattest state of the United States with the least number of highlands.It is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. Floria features some of the loveliest beaches and riverbanks of the country.This beautiful state faces a number of environmental issues the major one being water pollution. The issue of red tide has become a major issue of Florida on the southwest coast. Red tide is killing wildlife and tropical fish including coral reefs. There are a number of causes for the algal blooms all over the wetlands of Florida. 100 million water animals die from pollution each year. Management of water waste has been an important issue in the history of Florida. The Clean Waterways Act has been implemented as a remedial measure to keep water pollution under control. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration is responsible for monitoring Florida’s water pollution.If you are interested in more such content then keep on reading the articles on facts about ocean pollution and facts about noise pollution too.Sources Of Water Pollution In FloridaFlorida is known as the Sunshine State, its beaches and extravagant standard of living make the state a highly developed one in the US. However, the name seems to fail to include the most abundant and profitable resource of Florida’s economy that is, water. The land of Florida is known for its aquatic landscape. The state is connected through a large number of canals, rivers, lakes, springs, and marshes all over.The rivers, lakes, and canals form the lifeline of the Floridians. Apart from fishing and tourism it also supports a number of other activities. Florida was once covered by the Lake Okeechobee, Everglades, and mangrove swamps. Development all over the area and the formation of levees and canals to channel the water in the interiors of the state changed the submerged region into a well-populated state very fast. However, this soon manifested as a curse rather than a blessing. The construction of canals and levees lowered the water level of lakes and rivers. The water level of Everglades has decreased the rate of water flow. Farmers also dump large amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, manure in the rivers and lakes. When this water mixture combines with the lawn water of a residential lawn, it creates the best source for green goop or algal bloom. The magnitude of algal bloom in Florida cannot be understood properly until we consider the pollution of Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee is one of the largest lakes in the United States (half the size of Rhode Island). Unfortunately, it is also one of the most pollution-prone lakes because of the industrial wastes that are being dumped continuously for several years in Lake Okeechobee.The beautiful Indian River Lagoon that flows into the Atlantic ocean also could not be saved from the hands of water pollution. St Johns River is one of the largest rivers of Florida that flows north. Apart from agricultural and human waste, it is also threatened by the erosion of sediments that wash into the river. The industries of Florida are to be blamed majorly for the uncontrollable waste production and dumping them into the most valuable resource of the state. Commercial fishermen bear the most loss because of the degraded water quality. Some people also blame the state’s own regulations for the water pollution problem in Florida. They claim that the environmental policies lack efficiency and diligence causing the water to be filled with toxic invasive species.Types Of Water Pollution In FloridaThe water problem in Florida has become a matter of health concern for the public. The Environmental protection department of Florida found out in a survey that more than half of the state’s lakes and half rivers of the state suffer from poor water quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency finally agreed to help set up legal regulations to limit the water waste problem of the state. High levels of sewage spills in the state, wasted fertilizer, and manure in lakes and ponds damages Florida’s ecosystem.When we think about water pollution or pesticides making their way to the groundwater, many people naturally imagine that the primary sources of pollution might be large manufacturing plants and industrial businesses. However, small businesses and residents can also contribute to lake, river, and ocean water pollution in South Florida and Central Florida. The tourists form a major source of pollution in the coastal areas and wetlands of South Florida each year. High levels of sewage overflow and seepage of the toxins into the surface waters in the ground results in the outbreak of red tide and invasive algae. The outbreak of such types of toxins contaminates the drinking water, foul wetlands, freshwater sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds. The springs are filled with green slime and pollution is causing the beaches to close down. Consequently, the beachgoers and vacationers are forced to return which costs the economy of Florida billions of dollars. The St. Lucie river was subjected to an algae outbreak which gave off health warning signs to the homeowners of the region. Even a bit of exposure to the algae-infested water like touching it or inhaling the vapor of the water caused rashes and allergic reactions. The water was so highly polluted that it caused gastrointestinal upset, skin and eye irritation, and other severe illnesses. It affected the economy of the regions by decreasing the selling value of waterfront properties by half a billion dollars. The sewage system of the state was also severely damaged. The spilled sewage water blended with the water in the ground and contaminated drinking water. It also affected the plants and wildlife of Florida.A water plant serving more than 30,000 people in the state was forced to shut down once due to the massive outbreak of blue-green algae in the Caloosahatchee River. This caused severe water problems in Florida. Since the water levels under the ground are depleting people are forced to resort to different sources of drinking water. This makes it more important to keep the sewage water, manure, and animal waste out of the drinking water sources. Nutrient pollution is another type of pollution affecting the waterways of Florida. Excess nitrogen and phosphorous in water are causing harm to aquatic plants as well as humans. It is also affecting the water quality by giving rise to low oxygen or dead zones and algal blooms. The plants and fish in the ocean or river water have decreased considerably due to such nutrient pollution in Florida. It has now become a significant state issue. Rain is also responsible for carrying pollutants to different parts of the city’s wetlands. When rain falls, the water moves across the land areas. The water accumulates all kinds of waste while moving across land and when it finally flows to the river or ocean water, it results in pollution. Aquatic plants and fish are the worst sufferers of pollution in wetlands.Preventive Measures For Water Pollution In FloridaThe state of Florida is a land of water, its extensive beaches and ocean are a great attraction to tourists and it is great for living. People of the state depend on water not just to keep their environment healthy but also to keep their economy stable. Each water body of Florida is different and each of them faces a different type of pollution. To protect and conserve Florida’s water, you have to study and understand the different water bodies of Florida at the beginning. A partnership between the government organizations and active locals results in the most effective conservation measures of the ecosystem. However, the capacity to take action is shaped by legislators.Florida Conservation Voters raise their voices about the water quality issues so that they reach the elected officials. They also offer detailed reports so that they can make much more informed decisions based on the reports on how to secure Florida’s natural resources. The residues of factories producing toxins that flow to the ocean, lake, or river should be removed immediately so that water released does not result in catastrophic failures in the future. Chronic polluting sources pose an existential threat to the wildlife of the freshwater and communities of estuarine habitat. A comprehensive approach regarding the identification of sustainable solutions along with the well-being of human beings. A lot depends on the will of the Floridian citizens. They should take an active part in raising their voice against the pollution in coastal areas as well as inland.The state of Florida allows the industries prone to pollution to control their waste by a regulatory program. However, this regulatory has become less of an effective measure and more of a secret honor code for powerful industries. Ideally, fertilizers should only be used for vegetation. The portion of fertilizer that runs to the ocean, river, or lake is the amount that is wasted. So applying fertilizer more cautiously might help reduce fertilizer pollution. Nutrient pollution is a prolonged environmental issue in Florida. Florida realizes that the state needs to push further to address the issue of water pollution. Billions of dollars are invested in the cities for water clean-up. Everglades water clean-up stands at 11 billion dollars.The Florida Water Coalition is an organization that includes Earthjustice, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, St. John’s Riverkeeper, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, and the Florida Wildlife Federation. It supports the regulations issued for up-gradation of Florida’s water supply but they support the criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and oppose those that are currently proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The reason behind adopting such protective measures is to protect the non-impaired water flow from the pollutants and purification of the impaired water. The standards and quality measures that EPA wishes to impose will prevent the water from degrading further and will also enhance its quality gradually.What is the largest contributor to water pollution in Florida?The most widespread causes that are polluting Florida’s water are toxic algae blooms, agricultural runoff, red tide, and continuous sewage spills. Such hazardous pollutants are creating a smelly mess all over the waterways of Florida and the clean beaches and clean water of Florida’s past have now turned dangerous for humans and marine life. Sewage spills in Miami also led to the water-polluting problem of Florida. The overflow of foul sewage waters has given rise to the massive outbreak of blue-green algae, red toxins, brown algae, and many other pollutants that cause harm to humans and other aquatic species.Several measures are being undertaken to remove the invasive pollutants from the water. Governor Ron DeSantis issued legislation for clearing the waterbodies. Several sponsored acts and laws like the Clean Waterways Act by Senator Debbie Mayfield are also on the way to taking action against the condition of water pollution. The state was also seen to fine the City of Fort Lauderdale millions of dollars for multiple pipeline failures throughout the region that caused litter and spilled 210 gallons of sewage into the water bodies and streets of the city. It was considered to be municipal pollution. The sewage spills scene resulted in sanctioning federal-state enforcement actions in the city. Another major source of water pollution in Florida is septic tank pollution.Septic tanks in Florida are responsible for treating around one-third of the total waste that is generated in the state. The wastewater flowing from the septic tanks causes degradation of water quality. The water generated from agriculture pollutes the environment too. Fertilizers used in agriculture contain various harmful chemicals. These chemical mixed waters flow into the pond, ocean, lake, or river. When the fertilizers used for vegetation get mixed with the water supply, it causes widespread pollution and the polluted water further pollutes the ocean and ground-water. Such blended polluted waters give rise to algae and other invasive species. This type of wetland degradation has taken a high toll on the water quality and wildlife.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 10 must-know Florida water pollution facts that will amaze you! Then why not take a look at 21 interesting Charles Lindbergh facts that kids will love, or 19 mind-blowing asteroid facts for kids that adore solar system?
Florida is the flattest state of the United States with the least number of highlands.
