Upstream vs. Downstream Water Quality Improvement Projects in Florida – What You Need to Know

“Downstream” water quality improvement projects attempt to mitigate the “impacts” of pollution. This is where most of Florida money is spent to “improve” water quality. Same for Marco Island. Marco water quality improvement projects attempt to treat the impact of pollution, and do not address the root cause.

As one example, $17,000,000 for the San Marco Road culverts will not reduce any sources of pollution. Downstream projects are easy – there are no special interests to oppose the projects. Just taxpayers who do not understand what is going on. Gives the appearance of doing something with “other peoples money.”

“Upstream” water quality improvement projects reduce or eliminate the actual sources of pollution. These projects reduce nutrient inputs to the ecosystems from the actual sources of pollution including agriculture and sewage treatment plants. Upgrading the Marco sewage treatment plant to reduce nutrient pollution is an example of an upstream project. These projects are a benefit to the environment. Upstream projects are hard – the special interests complain and make the politicians life difficult. Nothing is accomplished. This is the Florida Problem.

When the City of Marco Island is accused of doing “nothing” to improve water quality on the island, this refers to an absence of “upstream” pollution reductions. The city responds by saying
that they are implementing “many” projects to improve water quality. Of course, the city is referring to “downstream” projects, where there are no actual pollution reductions.

Reducing nutrients at the source is more cost effective and efficient than restoring ecosystems after they have been impacted by nutrients. Politicians feel the need to appear to be doing
“something” about water quality, even though they are actually doing nothing at all.

The public does not understand the difference.
Eugene Wordehoff
Collier Citizens Counci