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As toxic algae looms, Sarasota County calls to reduce use of fertilizer

Timothy Fanning
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Suncoast Waterkeeper, the environmental group that keeps tabs on area waterways, posted a video on Tuesday showing the lyngbya algae bloom in Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay.

SARASOTA COUNTY — As red tide continues to linger off local shorelines, Sarasota County is urging residents to reduce the use of fertilizers that can help fuel the algal blooms. 

Nutrient pollution is widespread and can create challenging environmental issues for waterways throughout the county. The amount of rainfall expected during the rainy season increases the likelihood of a surge of nutrients in waterways. Excessive nutrients contribute to algae blooms, diminish water quality and threaten aquatic life.

With summer rains on the way, residents are asked to reduce nutrient pollution by using environmentally friendly or alternative landscaping and lawn fertilizer from June through Sept. 30.

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John Morgan is Sarasota County’s Air and Water Quality supervisor. He said that environmentally friendly fertilizers contain zero nitrogen and zero phosphorus. Excess amounts of these naturally occurring nutrients can create a harmful imbalance when washed away into storm drains and carried to local water bodies.

"Reducing the amount of nutrients collected by stormwater runoff helps protect natural habitats in area waterways that receive runoff from our stormwater system," Morgan said. "We are a growing community, and it will take a community effort to reduce nutrient pollution and continue having healthy waterways, beaches and more."

Red tide algae blooms continue to persist in Southwest Florida. Karenia brevis — the scientific name for the red tide organism — was detected in 38 samples this week. It was found in background concentrations in Sarasota County and very low concentrations in Charlotte County. 

The red tide organism, which emerged in lower Tampa Bay in late April, was also found in low to low concentrations in Manatee County. No fish kills were reported in Sarasota and Manatee County. 

In April, 215 million gallons of nitrogen-laden water was dumped from the Piney Point phosphate industrial site in an emergency effort to avert a catastrophic collapse of a wastewater containment system's walls. Environmentalists have expressed concerns about the short- and long-term environmental impact. Nitrogen is especially concerning to environmentalists, as it has been shown to fuel algae blooms. 

Suncoast Waterkeeper, the environmental group that keeps tabs on area waterways, posted a video on Tuesday showing the lyngbya algae bloom in Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay. The video showed what appeared to be clumps of lyngbya floating just off Manatee Avenue and Cortez Bridges. It also showed a milky blue color lining the shorelines along Sarasota Bay. 

“This is a serious situation that needs the attention of all of our elected officials,” said Rusty Chinnis, who serves on the board of the Suncoast Waterkeeper. Chinnis also founded the nonprofit Sarasota Bay Watch, a nonprofit working to preserve and protect the Sarasota Bay. 

The Florida Department of Environmental protection and others have been monitoring the waterways following the discharge. As of Wednesday, there were no reported fish kills.

What about reducing my use of fertilizer? 

The fertilizer and landscape management ordinance was enacted in 2007 to help preserve and protect natural resources and natural habitats in area waterways throughout the county. 

You can determine whether their fertilizer may be used during the restricted season, June 1 through Sept. 30, by checking the numbers. The first number represents nitrogen; the second is phosphorus, and the third is potassium or potash. Only fertilizers containing zero nitrogen and zero phosphorous may be used during the restricted season.

The following tips will help keep up your yard's appearance during the summer: 

  • Use only fertilizers with zero nitrogen and zero phosphorous. 
  • Apply iron, found at most garden centers, as an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to keep lawns green during the summer.
  • Use compost to enrich the soil.
  • Buy plants adapted to Florida's hot and humid climate.
  •  Mow higher to encourage deep roots that resist fungus and pests.
  •  Sweep grass clippings back into the yard, or recycle them in a compost pile. Do not allow grass clippings to be washed into storm drains. 
  • Adhere to watering restrictions; even-numbered addresses water only on Tuesday and odd-numbered addresses water only on Thursdays.
  • Remember irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, learn more about water restriction here.

Timothy Fanning covers Sarasota government for the Herald-Tribune. Reach Timothy at tim.fanning@heraldtribune.com or on Twitter: @timothyjfanning. Support the Herald-Tribune by subscribing today.