Microbial Tracking Study
Nationally , a trend of steady development in coastal areas has led to rising population densities and degraded water quality . Accordingly , as the City of Port St . Lucie and surrounding areas have grown , the North Fork of the St . Lucie Estuary ( North Fork ) has experienced increasingly polluted waters . In particular , bacterial concentrations have exceeded public health standards , leading to public health advisories .
To address these issues , the Port St . Lucie City Council initiated a microbial source tracking study in 2016 through a partnership between Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute- Florida Atlantic University ( HBOI- FAU ), City of Port St . Lucie , St . Lucie County , St . Lucie County Department of Health and Florida Department of Environmental Protection ( FDEP ). The purpose of the study was to improve understanding of the sources contributing to this recurring bacterial and nutrient pollution . The results of the first phase confirmed that elevated fecal indicator bacteria concentrations occurred at many sites in the North Fork . The greatest concentrations consistently occurred in dense urbanized areas , including White City Park and some local canals ( Sagamore , Hogpen Slough , Veterans Memorial , Elkcam and Southbend / Horseshoe A-22 ).
The City Council approved the initiation of the second phase of the study in the summer of 2018 , in which Harbor Branch scientists focused on a more detailed study of sites that showed higher levels of bacteria and other pollution . They also studied and monitored the interactions of septic systems and surface water . The ultimate goal is to use the results to drive future improvement projects .
The second phase of the study was complete in May 2020 and one of its primary recommendations was continued focus on connecting septic systems to the City ’ s wastewater system at the hotspots identified in the study .
Read the full report at www . CityofPSL . com / WaterQuality
20 Water Quality Initiatives | City of Port St . Lucie