The S-191 Basin Surface Runoff Phosphorus Removal Project, managed by the South Florida Water Management District, is now in operation and is projected to prevent 3.5 metric tons of total phosphorus per year from entering Lake Okeechobee. 

This is possible thanks to a water treatment technology using galvanic cells, installed by Florida-based company NuQuatic. The cells can treat over 8 million gallons of water per day.

On June 7, SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka attended an informative open house for the project, where officials were on site to explain how the technology works.

The project is located in the Taylor Creek / Nubbin Slough subwatershed in Okeechobee County.

“High levels of nutrients are a primary driver of harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee that can then be transported to our coasts,” Pecenka said. “This project is one of many that will be necessary to prevent nutrients from entering lake Okeechobee, and a step towards the restoration of the greater Everglades.”