Our Oceans

May 2, 2008

I don’t know if you keep up with these things but here is some good news in the days of so much bad news. 

Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Legislature passed a bill yesterday to end a decade’s old practice of dumping poorly treated sewage off Florida’s southeast coast. The House of Representatives passed the Wastewater Disposal Bill (HB 7139), created earlier by the Senate (SB 1302), with just two days left in the session.Reef Relief, a Key West-based global non-profit organization dedicated to protecting coral reefs, hailed the decision as a major step to cleaning up our coastal water and allowing coral reefs a better chance to survive. Paul G. Johnson, President of Reef Relief said, “By treating and recycling wastewater for other beneficial uses, rather than discharging the precious liquid into the ocean, we not only protect coral reefs – we ensure fresh water for Florida’s future”.The bill requires all facilities that discharge domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls meet higher treatment requirements by December 2018, and achieve at least 60% reuse of the wastewater by 2025, prohibiting the practice beyond that date, except as a backup for certain situations. No new or expanded ocean outfalls would be allowed. While the majority of the state has reached 61% daily reuse, the southeast region – including Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward where the six ocean outfalls are located– average only 6% reuse. Utilities in these three counties discharge over 6 million gallons of sewage daily from six ocean outfall pipes near coral reefs and coastal beaches.

Although 10 years is along way away,  it takes patience and a ripple makes a difference! And thanks to REEF RELIEF’S WORK!