Florida Water Geek

  Celebrate  National Estuaries Week Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak© National Estuaries Week is September 19 - 27, 2026 .  Estuaries are ecosystems where rivers meet the sea. Typically, fresh water and salt water meet to form brackish water that changes with the tides. Plants and animals in estuaries must be adaptable to these changes. Estuaries also serve as buffer zones, providing flood protection, preventing erosion and filtering pollutants. They provide safe areas for numerous fish, shellfish, and birds, including many threatened and endangered species. There are only 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the United States. The Guana Reserve is one. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Reserve) , sometimes called Guana Reserve, is right down the road from my house!  The GTM Reserve protects 76,760 acres in Nort...

  Septic Tanks Protect Our Water September 14 - 18, 2026 is SepticSmart Week , so I thought it would be a good time to highlight these important treatment systems!  SepticSmart Week is EPA's annual event to bring attention to the importance of maintaining septic tank systems. Thirty percent of Florida's population use septic systems, also known as onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). That's about 2.6 million septic systems in operation in the state.  They are often used in rural areas where centralized wastewater treatment plants are not practical, but may also be found in suburban locations. Septic tanks are located on the home or business property, and the property owner is responsible for their inspection and maintenance. How Do Septic Systems Work? Septic systems are more than just holding tanks. They provide provide treatment of all the water used in your home or business, protecting groundwater, springs, and surface waters. The septic tank provide...

  Protecting Water Systems from Cross-Connections What is a Cross-Connection? A cross-connection is any connection between potable (drinking) water and non-potable water.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) defines a cross connection as " any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or consumer’s potable (i.e., drinking) water system and any source or system containing nonpotable water or other subs tances. " FDEP requires all water utilities to have a  Cross Connection Control Program  to prevent contamination of the drinking water distribution system with any type of non-potable substances.  The program must include requirements for backflow protection where possible cross-connections could happen. How to Prevent Cross-Connections Preventing Cross-Connections in the Water Distribution Pipelines FDEP rules require all water distribution piping to be physically separated by at least 3 feet from all other pipeline...