Water quality a top concern at Sarasota legislative delegation meeting

Improving water quality was among the top priorities for local officials who came before the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation Monday.

City and county leaders asked for help from the state as they seek to reduce water pollution after last year’s devastating red tide bloom.

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“The biggest thing is water quality and we’re all saying the same thing,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines. “The question is what are you doing about it?”

Sarasota County is moving ahead with major wastewater treatment improvements to fix problems with the system.

“We’re doing what we can to make it right,” Hines said.

Upgrading the region’s wastewater and stormwater systems to keep water laden with algae-feeding nutrients out of the natural environment is hugely expensive, though.

Hines said local governments could use more guidance and financial assistance from the state. He wants state leaders to identify the most effective methods of limiting nutrient pollution and provide local governments with financial assistance to implement them.

READ MORE: See the latest Sarasota-Manatee environment news

“If we as Sarasota County do it alone it’s not going to make a difference,” Hines said. “We need everybody on the Gulf Coast moving forward.”

Sarasota city leaders are requesting that local lawmakers “support legislation providing a recurring funding source for programs and projects for water quality preservation and enhancement.” The cities of North Port and Venice both are seeking state assistance to convert from septic systems to sewer lines.

Gov. Ron DeSantis successfully pushed for a big increase in state funding this year for environmental projects, but progress on the issue likely will depend on sustained funding over the course of many years.

Environmental advocates believe stronger regulations also are necessary. The Legislature did not advance any meaningful new water quality rules this year, with bills aimed at everything from testing septic tanks to curbing lawn runoff failing to advance.

Southwest Florida lawmakers filed a number of water quality bills this year but none of them were approved. Local lawmakers said Monday that they plan to keep pursuing the issue during the 2020 legislative session, which begins in January.

Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said he expects to refile legislation that would require septic tank inspections, but will modify the bill to try to get more support. He also will continue to push a bill that penalizes municipal utilities for sewage spills.

“My focus individually and out of the delegation will continue to be water quality overall,” Gruters said after the delegation meeting in the Sarasota County Commission chambers.

State Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota, filed a bill during the 2019 legislative session that would have required more stringent rules for managing stormwater. She plans to keep pursuing the issue.

“I am going to do everything I can to make sure we get the stormwater rules updated,” Good said.

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