Florida’s fertilizer use is affecting beach water quality

If clean water is Florida’s ‘No. 1 issue,’ here’s why keeping grass green isn’t helping

While sources of pollution are many, and the vast majority come from commercial and industrial sources, experts say there’s one piece of the puzzle that many Floridians can help solve.

Some fertilizer that keeps lawns green contains contain high levels of nitrogen or phosphorous — two nutrients known to influence harmful algae blooms. Through careless application or heavy rainfall, those nutrients can eventually make their way into local waters. There, they act as a food source that help fuel the blooms. The state and local governments have taken steps to try to prevent that from happening, like enacting controversial bans during the summer rainy season.

But a Bradenton Herald analysis shows Florida’s tracking system does not provide an accurate picture how much fertilizer is used in the state, and by whom. A request for data on the breakdown of commercial versus residential use of fertilizer raised more questions than it answered.