The City of Cape Coral is looking forward to partnering with Lee County in a test project for the removal of harmful algae blooms.
The County is set to receive $700,000 from the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Management Grant Program through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This will be used in Cape Coral, unincorporated Lee County and other affected municipalities in Lee County. Cape Coral is working closely with the County to identify priority locations in the city with the greatest concentration of blue-green algae.
Blue-green algae has been producing significant problems in several waterways in Cape Coral. The City issued an advisory in July due to the presence of the algae in the Caloosahatchee River and adjacent canals. Signs were installed in multiple locations warning about the risks associated with the algae.
The accumulation of blue-green algae at the Yacht Club Beach led City Manager John Szerlag to close the Beach to swimming.
Blue-green algae collection is expected to begin as soon as Friday. Residents are asked to report algal bloom locations, online at floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom or by calling 855-305-3903.
