New Funding Enables Water Testing in South Sarasota County Bays

Key Information

• Grant Amount: $400,000 over two years
• Organization: Suncoast Waterkeeper
• New Testing Sites: 8 additional locations in Sarasota County bays
• Fecal Indicator Testing Frequency: Weekly
• Focus on Water Quality: Internal Cocci in brackish water; E. coli in freshwater
• Related Program: Mangrove Rangers monitoring eight sites
• Environmental Concerns: Effects of development and rising sea levels on mangroves
• Contact Information: www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/contact

A grant totaling $400,000 over two years has been awarded to enhance water quality initiatives, allowing the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper to expand its testing capabilities. This funding facilitates the addition of eight new testing sites across Sarasota County’s bays.

“Fecal indicator testing is going to occur weekly here but also on Turtle Beach, focusing on the bay side rather than the gulf side,” stated Abbey Tyrna, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper.

“There are several other sites if you’ve ever visited the park right off Vamo or Indian Mound Park. We’re testing eight new sites and continuously looking for more,” she added.

Fecal indicator testing focuses on detecting a type of bacteria known as Internal Cocci in brackish waters, while in freshwater environments, it’s recognized as E. coli.

Additionally, the grant funds a program called Mangrove Rangers, which is dedicated to monitoring the health of mangroves.

“Mangrove Rangers is a program where we monitor eight sites across the Sarasota Bay and Palma Sola Bay areas. We’re assessing changes in mangrove habitat, given their vulnerability,” said Tyrna.

According to officials from ABC7, various factors, including development and rising sea levels, pose significant threats to the mangrove ecosystems.

For additional details on Suncoast Waterkeeper or to suggest new testing locations, visit their website: www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/contact.