Marco Sewage Plant Under Investigation by FDEP

The FDEP issued a compliance warning letter to the Marco sewage plant on April 21, 2025. There are numerous "out of compliance" issues. The most critical is described below: over application of sewage water along Collier Boulevard. The sewage plant was warned about this two years ago but apparently took no corrective action.

"On March 26, March 27, April 6, and April 10th, the Department received citizen complaints that indicated reuse application sites within the City of Marco Island’s general reuse service area were not properly applying reclaimed water."

 "Documentation was submitted to the Department that indicated potential multiple areas within the Marco Island reclaimed water service area that are experiencing aerosol drift, unintended application to impervious services, and broken sprinkler heads which are producing surface runoff into unintended areas, such as stormwater conveyance systems."

"The areas indicated were various areas along Collier Blvd. Two other locations were identified in complaints that were confirmed to not be applying reclaimed water." 

"Wastewater authorized for land application under public access reuse rules shall not produce surface runoff or ponding of the applied reclaimed water as required by Rule 62-610.423, F.A.C." 

"The Permittee was previously notified of citizen concerns of potential non-compliance with Part III Reuse application rules in the area of Collier Blvd and San Marco Rd on December 5, 2022."