Lee County looks to rectify NFM algae issue
For the first time since 2018, blue-green algae, with its slimy water and pungent odor, has become a serious issue in North Fort Myers.
But unlike last go-around when no one was, Lee County has started to take steps to rectify the problem.
On Monday, county workers were on a boat as they sprinkled into the canal a powdery substance they hope will kill the algae.
A company aptly named BlueGreen Technologies was applying Lake Guard Oxy to the corner of the canal in hope of eradicating the blue-green algae blooming there.
Lee County partnered with a vendor to perform a free treatment demonstration on canal area in North Fort Myers where algae is present.
Lucia Ross, marketing officer at BlueGreen, said the algae is a bacterial infection in the water and the company was treating the infection with something that will eliminate it.
“It can very quickly take over a water system. The ecosystem is out of balance and we’re here to restore that balance,” Ross said. “We don’t want any one algae to take over because it’s breeding at a phenomenal rate. It can double in size within five hours.”
Ross said the excessive heat, drought conditions, dead-end water and increased nutrients increase the possibility of a bloom that grows and populates faster. There are good bacteria in the water, but this one is toxic and it needs to be eradicated before it chokes out all life in the water, plants and animals.
For humans it can create watery eyes, difficulty in breathing, gastric distress and itchy skin, along with vomiting and convulsions to those most allergic, Ross said, adding the toxins can travel for miles.
BlueGreen Water Technology is a Florida Department of Environmental Protection-approved vendor that uses a product that is FDEP-approved. The vendor approached Lee County and offered the demonstration of its technology and product.
When applying the Lake Guard Oxy, a powerful hydrogen peroxide-based product, the powder is able to remain on top of the water while not bleaching the water like chlorine, which would kill everything in that area.
It triggers something called program cell death. The bacteria is then held underwater and is carried to the bottom sediment where it remains, Ross said.
The cells of the bacteria are communicating to the others that things are not OK (thus the bluish tint). People should start to see results within 24 to 48 hours, depending on water conditions, which county and BlueGreen scientists have been monitoring.
“We don’t want to turn this into a swimming pool. We want to turn it into a healthy water body,” Ross said. “Healthy water bodies have regular green algae which is good for the water.”
Lee County has been monitoring the canal where the algae has been present for more than a week. Lee County Natural Resources staff also have done visual inspections of neighboring canals in North Fort Myers. Similar algae blooms are not present at this time.
County offiicals said Thursday the current algae bloom is not to the scale of what North Fort Myers experienced during the summer of 2018.
However, the county stands ready to address a large-scale outbreak, should it occur. Lee County has algae-remediation contractors on retainer so that if mobilization of equipment is necessary, the process can happen quickly, a county statement said Thursday.