Fecal Indicator bacteria
are representative of a suite of bacteria from the digestive tract of mammals, and often come from sources such as inadequately treated wastewater, leaking septic tanks, stormwater runoff, pet waste, livestock, and wildlife.
Of course, there are many other concerns with water quality that are not represented in this particular map, including vibrio, red tide, blue green algae, and hurricane debris in the water, to name a few.
The interactive Calusa Waterkeeper map can be seen online at https://calusawaterkeeper.org/issues/bacteria-monitoring/ at the bottom of the page, and you can click on each location and see the previous month’s results and more information about the site.
Click here for the direct link to Fort Myers Beach water sample results .
Red Drift Algae
Red Drift Algae is any of a number of larger species of algae that can be seen with the naked eye. These species, which vary in color and can be red, brown, green or white occur naturally in the environment and can sometimes detach from the bottom and wash up along area beaches. These species are called macro algae because they can be seen without aid of a microscope. These algae are not harmful and are non-toxic but, when they wash up on beaches, can smell bad as they decompose.
Currently minimal drift algae in the area.