Playbook for Healthy Waterways – Gulf Coast Community Foundation
  • INTRO
  • REDUCE
  • REMOVE
  • SUSTAIN
  • PROGRESS
  • SITE MAP
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Conservation Efforts Expand with New Acquisitions and Partnerships

Conservation Efforts Expand with New Acquisitions and Partnerships

Through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), Sarasota County acquired 17 new properties (totaling 5,603 acres) from Spring 2020 to Spring 2025. Big Waters Land Trust celebrated protecting more than 20k acres since 2003, including the...
CHNEP Launches Water Atlas 2.0 with Enhanced Visualization Tools

CHNEP Launches Water Atlas 2.0 with Enhanced Visualization Tools

The 2024 update introduced interactive mappers and dashboards that provide real-time water quality data, enabling the public to track nutrient levels and other key indicators across local water bodies.
Award-Winning Dona Bay Restoration Reduces Nutrient Pollution and Restores Natural Flows

Award-Winning Dona Bay Restoration Reduces Nutrient Pollution and Restores Natural Flows

Sarasota County and SWFWMD continue efforts to restore Dona Bay by creating wetlands and ponds to manage excess freshwater. Phase 2 has removed 1,800 pounds of nitrogen, while a 2024 water hyacinth harvest extracted 7,636 pounds. The project earned the 2024 Florida...
Sarasota County Government Continues Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure

Sarasota County Government Continues Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure

In 2021, Sarasota County Government Utilities continued to inspect, maintain, upgrade, and replace priority failing wastewater infrastructure with millions of dollars of new investments in pipes, manholes and lift stations.
Sarasota County Government Moves to Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plants

Sarasota County Government Moves to Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plants

Sarasota County Government approved upgrading Bee Ridge, Venice Gardens, and Central County Wastewater Reclamation Facilities (WRF) to Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT). The Bee Ridge WRF AWT facility broke ground on March 22, 2022.
Next Entries »

Recent Posts

  • 1.1 Prioritize upgrades of Sarasota County Government’s wastewater treatment plants to advanced wastewater treatment
  • 1.2 Understand and manage nutrient loads to areas irrigated with non-advanced wastewater
  • 1.3 Invest in infrastructure to minimize wastewater spills, emergency releases, and overflows
  • 1.4 Improve FDEP public reporting of wastewater discharges
  • 1.5 Deliver targeted education and incentives to the public to reduce sewage spills and overflows

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    The Playbook is a living document. We invite you to send us your comments and updates.

    Gulf Coast Community Foundation

    Gulf Coast Community Foundation envisions thriving communities with opportunities for all. Together with our donors, we invest in systemic solutions to regional priorities, including environmental quality. This project is part of Gulf Coast’s strategic initiative to improve our region’s environment, enhance and steward unique natural assets, and educate citizens on the benefits of a healthy planet.

    Learn More

    Reduce

    Central Wastewater
    Septic Systems
    Biosolids
    Fertilizer
    Atmospheric Deposition

    Remove

    Stormwater Design
    Stormwater Partnerships
    Habitat and Wildlife

    Sustain

    Collaboration
    Monitoring

    End Notes

    List of All Activities
    Nutrients 101
    References
    Credits
    2020 Water Quality Playbook

    Copyright 2025 Gulf Coast Community Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    Copyright 2020 Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

    WHY WE NEED THIS

    OVERVIEW OF TOPICS

    GOALS AND APPROACH

    Activities to Reduce Nutrient Inputs

    1: CENTRAL WASTEWATER

    2: SEPTIC SYSTEMS

    3: BIOSOLIDS

    4: FERTILIZER

    5: ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION

    Activities to Remove Nutrients

    6: STORMWATER DESIGN

    7: STORMWATER PARTNERSHIPS

    8: HABITAT & WILDLIFE

    Activities to Sustain Water Quality

    9: COORDINATION

    10: MONITORING

    ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    MEDIA MENTIONS

    Site Map

    WHY WE NEED THIS   |  OVERVIEW OF TOPICS  |  HOW TO GET STARTED

    1: CENTRAL WASTEWATER

    • 1: TREATMENT
    • 2: REUSE
    • 3: SPILLS
    • 4: REPORTING
    • 5: EDUCATION

    2: SEPTIC SYSTEMS

    • 1: LOADS
    • 2: EFFECTIVENESS
    • 3: LOCATIONS
    • 4: MAINTENANCE
    • 5: EDUCATION

    3: BIOSOLIDS

    • 1: LOADS
    • 2: DISPOSAL
    • 3: REGULATIONS

    4: FERTILIZER

    • 1: LOADS
    • 2: REPORTING
    • 3: REGULATIONS
    • 4: HOA’S
    • 5: GOLF COURSES
    • 6: AGRICULTURE
    • 7: COMPOST

    5: ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION

    • 1: LOADS
    • 2: EDUCATION

    6: STORMWATER DESIGN

    • 1: LOADS
    • 2: EFFECTIVENESS
    • 3. REGULATIONS
    • 4. MAINTENANCE

    7: STORMWATER PARTNERSHIPS

    • 1: HOW-TO GUIDES
    • 2: COST-SHARING
    • 3. RECOGNITION
    • 4. DEMONSTRATIONS

    8: HABITAT & WILDLIFE

    • 1: WETLANDS
    • 2: WILDLIFE
    • 3. LAND CONSERVATION
    • 4. FORESTATION

    9: COORDINATION

    • 1: CONSORTIUM
    • 2: PLANNING
    • 3. FUNDING
    • 4. DATA SHARING
    • 5. NETWORKING
    • 6. EDUCATION
    • 7. POLICY

    10: MONITORING

    • 1: MONITORING
    • 2: GAPS

    END NOTES

    • LIST OF ALL ACTIVITIES
    • NUTRIENTS 101
    • REFERENCES
    • CREDITS
    • Intro
      • Why We Need This
      • Overview of Topics
      • How To Get Started
    • Reduce
      • 1. Central Wastewater
      • 2. Septic Systems
      • 3. Biosolids
      • 4. Fertilizer
      • 5. Atmospheric Deposition
    • Remove
      • 6. Stormwater Design
      • 7. Community Partnerships
      • 8. Habitat & Wildlife
    • Sustain
      • 9. Coordination
      • 10. Monitoring
    • Progress
      • Accomplishments
      • Media Mentions
    • Site Map