Estero Bay Water Quality 2023

Water Quality Survey

Over the last few years in Southwest Florida, we have seen an increase in monthly temperatures, a rise in the sea level in the Gulf, and a higher incidence of algae blooms in our coastal areas.

Q1. How would you summarize your level of concern about these changes?

Very unconcerned

Fairly unconcerned

Neither Concerned nor unconcerned

Fairly Concerned

Very Concerned

Don’t know

Q2 Which of these changes would you say give you the greatest concern for our future in Southwest Florida? Please rank each where the most concern =1, the next highest concern = 2, etc.

• The rise in monthly temperatures

1st Rank

2nd Rank

3rd Rank

Same

• The rise in the sea level in the Gulf

1st Rank

2nd Rank

3rd Rank

Same

• The higher incidence of algae blooms in coastal waterways

1st Rank

2nd Rank

3rd Rank

Same

• All of equal importance (Check Same on all three options above)

1st Rank

2nd Rank

3rd Rank

Same

• Don’t know

I don't know

Q3a) What is your opinion of the actions or inactions taken by the Florida legislature, the Lee County Commissioners, and the Estero Village Council to control the above issues? The rise in monthly temperatures. Towns and cities can help reduce rising temperatures through heat reduction policies and strategies, e.g., encouraging behavioral change, reducing energy use in buildings, introducing new technologies that reduce energy consumption, and implementing land use planning to improve energy-efficient communities.

Not doing enough

Doing enough

Doing too much

Nothing is going to help

Don’t know

Q3b) Which of the following should take responsibility for addressing the rise in monthly temperature

The Florida Legislature

The Lee County Commissioners

The Village of Estero Council

All the above

None of the above

Don’t know

Q3b) If none, who do you think should address this issue?

Q3c) The rise in the sea level of the Gulf. Some solutions include structural solutions such as dams, seawalls, roads, or water treatment plants necessary to face rising sea levels.

Q3c) answers

Not doing enough

Doing enough

Doing too much

Nothing is going to help

Don’t know

Q3d) Which of the following should take responsibility for addressing the rise in the sea level of the Gulf

Q3d) answers

The Florida Legislature

The Lee County Commissioners

The Village of Estero Council

All the above

None of the above

Don’t know

Q3d) If none, who do you think should address this issue?

Q3e) The higher incidence of algae blooms in coastal waterways. Use phosphorus-free fertilizers and detergents to limit nutrient-rich runoff. Have a pond management professional apply phosphorous-binding products, which prevent nutrients from stimulating algae growth. Ensure fertilizer ordinances are followed -they should not be used between June 1st and Sept 31st) Oxygenate ponds with fountains

Q3E) answers

Not doing enough

Doing enough

Doing too much

Nothing is going to help

Don’t know

Q3f) Which of the following should take responsibility for addressing the higher incidence of algae blooms in coastal waterways

Q3F) answers

The Florida Legislature

The Lee County Commissioners

The Village of Estero Council

All the above

None of the above

Don’t know

Q3f) If none, who do you think should address this issue?

Q4) What, if any, concerns do you have about the occurrence of red tide? Please write in below.

Red Tide Concerns

Q4) answers

I don’t have any concerns

Don’t Know

Q5a) What, if any, concerns do you have about the occurrence of blue-green algae?

Blue Green Algae Concerns

Q5a) answers

I don’t have any concerns.

Don’t Know

Q5b) Were you aware that in other parts of the world and the USA, blue-green algae give rise to cyanobacteria that can produce many neurotoxins, some of which have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurodegenerative disease?

Q5B) answers

Yes

No

Don’t know

Q5c) Are there sufficient warnings about the potential dangers of blue-green algae in our area?

Q5c) answers

Yes

No

Don’t know

Q6) Finally, what actions would you like to see Engage Estero take in collaboration with our partners, the Calusa Waterkeeper, The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, and FGCU’s Water School, to address the environmental issues that concern you? Please write in below.

Q6 answer