Large-Scale Water Quality Improvement Project North of Lake Okeechobee Approved

Project will capture stormwater and reduce nutrient load flowing into Lake Okeechobee
Constructed wetlands use aquatic plants to remove nutrient pollution from waterways and create wildlife habitat.
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board today unanimously approved the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Project, a large-scale water quality improvement project. Located north of Lake Okeechobee, the project will improve the quality of the water flowing into the lake and support ongoing restoration goals for the Lake Okeechobee watershed.
The project will capture water from the Kissimmee River and runoff while reducing the nutrient pollution in several basins such as the S-154 Basin in the Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough Subwatershed that flow into Lake Okeechobee. This subwatershed typically has one of the highest phosphorus loads of any watershed flowing into Lake Okeechobee, and the S-154 Basin typically has one of the highest phosphorus loads of any basin in that subwatershed.
Improving water quality and protecting water resources remain top priorities at the South Florida Water Management District, and the District continues to work to remove and reduce nutrient pollution from entering natural systems.
This project will be managed by the South Florida Water Management District and funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.