Water-Related News

Water managers approve $6M for chemical treatments at Caloosahatchee reservoir

A state agency involved in the restoration of the historic Everglades voted Thursday to spend $6 million on a water quality treatment component to the Caloosahatchee River reservoir, often called C-43.

The South Florida Water Management District governing board met Thursday in West Palm Beach, and the $6 million project passed on the consent agenda.

The Caloosahatchee Reservoir is one of the original 68 Everglades restoration projects approved at the turn-of-the-century.

But not everyone in convinced the treatment being proposed will do enough to clean waters in the reservoir.

"It's somewhat concerning that we're trying to treat (it) with chemicals," said Mark Perry, director the Florida Oceanographic Society. "We need to address the water quality issues at the source and before they get to these structures. Hopefully we can find a way that doesn't use chemicals repeatedly."