State program trains volunteers to test water in Collier County

Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Aerial footage of Lake Okeechobee on Aug. 13, 2018
Aerial footage of Lake Okeechobee on Aug. 13, 2018. Credit: WINK News.

A state program is being implemented in effort to get communities interested and more knowledgeable about their storm water systems. Now, people living in Collier County can help test water in their backyard.

Collier County is teaming up with Lakewatch, a state program that recruits and trains volunteers to test water from private lakes and ponds.

Here’s how it works: Whatever development you live in, the senior environmental specialist who works for county pollution control will come out and teach you how to sample water from your storm system.

The free initiative allows neighbors to take a sample and find out the nitrogen and phosphorus levels from the water in the community.

All the water in private stormwater ponds eventually pour into county waters. The goal is to have that water in the best shape possible to improve water quality overall.

To get involved, call Collier County Pollution Control at 239-252-2502.

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