State targeting pollution in northern Everglades, Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers

A state agency is working toward better detecting and documenting pollution in the northern portion of the Everglades as well as the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers.

The South Florida Water Management District held a workshop Wednesday [June 3rd] to take public input on rule changes that will target lands that are polluting the system.

Phosphorus and nitrogen running off farmlands and developed areas are causing the problems.

These nutrients feed algae blooms, can discolor the water to the point of killing marine grasses and disrupt the natural balance of South Florida's ecosystem.

"There is a gap between the current water bodies compared to where the (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) says they need to be," said Steffany Olson, with the water management district.

The two rivers were artificially connected to Lake Okeechobee to drain the Everglades for farming and development.