Vol. 127 (2014): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Ornamental, Garden & Landscape

Innovative approaches, methods and techniques for improving water quality

Jane V. Morse
UF/IFAS
2014 Proceedings Florida State Horticultural Society Volume 127

Published 2018-03-15

Abstract

Pinellas County is a peninsula on the west central coast of Florida surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Pinellas County is 97% built out, and is the most densely populated county in Florida. Because of all the impervious surfaces that occur in these developed lands there is a tremendous amount of stormwater runoff. This runoff carries all the nutrients, chemicals, bacteria, sediment, and trash that find their way onto the impervious surfaces directly down storm drains and into water bodies. Whereas sewer treatment facilities clean and filter their water, stormwater drains are not filtered or cleansed in any way. This has led to 85% of the waters in Pinellas County being designated as impaired due to nutrients, sediment, bacteria, or other pollutants.