Our Florida Watershed!What is watershed? Our Florida watershed is simply the location of which rain falls onto and then flows down hill into our water bodies. Whether these be our streams, canals, rivers or lakes, we want to ensure that this journey is not a collection of toxic build up.
It is all good to say that "It will all wash out in the rain!" but where does it run off to after that. Yep! Down hill following the journey of our drinking water resevoirs. Least of all we want to ensure that the Florida Watershed is a clean journey right into the resevoirs of our drinking water. There are 29 primary Florida watershed areas, giving a massive area to police. The water quality does show a fast improvement year after year with continual testing and policing of these areas. It is the task of our water boards to implement the protection programs the guarantee quality of drinking water for us all.
The program specifically implements the provisions of the Florida Watershed Restoration Act of 1999, section 403.067, Florida Statutes, but it encompasses other legal authorities, voluntary programs and practices, public education, and financial assistance, all directed at cleaning up water pollution or preventing it in the first place. This task is, although being seriously taken by a dedicated few, far from being complete in that the water flowing from our taps is not that of pure, clean, healthy and most importantly, mineralised drinking water. You too can do something about the quality of water that we drink flowing from the Watershed and the policing of our florida watershed. Even if it just be a frown in the direction of comments made about not taking responsibility to keep an agricultural area free from all toxins and wastes that lie above one of our Florida watershed area, something can be done about it. The objective of the water management team is to guarantee a TMDL? (Total Maximum Daily Loads) A scientific determination of the maximum amount of a given pollutant that a surface water can absorb and still meet the water quality standards that protect human health and aquatic life. Water bodies that do not meet water quality standards are identified as impaired for the particular pollutants of concern--nutrients, bacteria, mercury, etc.--and TMDLs must be developed, adopted and implemented for those pollutants to reduce pollutants and clean up the water body. This statement is a fantastic goal and is aimed directly at protecting the health of all Americans. Water is the basic foundation of health and without the guarantee of pure drinking water, we are just shooting our diet and dreams of health in the foot. Care for our Florida waterways and do what you can to contribute to the final goal of clean healthy water for all Americans. Until that day arrive, please take responsibility for the condition of the water that flors from your tap. Don't bet your life on the hope of a "safe" TMDL. It is not in too good a shape when it arrives, but you truely can do something about it. I call it The ultimate Drinking Water! You can call it what you like.
Warmly, Mike King
This is what I do: rope access
|
