Marco Island residents collect enough signatures for water treatment plant upgrades

Residents of Marco Island are rallying to clean up their cherished waterways.

A group of locals has collected more than 1,400 signatures, urging an upgrade to the island’s wastewater treatment plant. The decision is now in the hands of city leaders.

"We used to see dolphin every single day, said David Rasmussen, who has lived along the water in Marco Island for 24 years. “Packs of dolphin coming in here and feeding.”

Rasmussen said the wildlife have disappeared. Eugene Wordehoff also expressed worry about the ecosystem.

"Over the last five years, the whole ecosystem has collapsed, and we've lost our oxygen. So we're doing it to ourselves. We're feeding algal blooms," said Wordehoff.

Anita Sargese, also from Marco Island, emphasized the community’s awareness and desire for cleaner water.

"We recognize that we have impaired water. We want it clean. We know what we can do to help make it better," said Sargese.

The residents formed a political action committee called The Quality of Marco Island Reuse Water Inc. They aim to see the city upgrade to Advanced Wastewater Treatment.

"To simply strip out the nutrients, take the nutrients out and clean that reuse water up so that we can release it safely to the environment," explained Wordehoff.

Marco Island City Council Chairman Darrin Palumbo highlighted the importance of healthy canals for the community.

"The healthier those canals are, the healthier Marco is. From a financial, physical tourist-based economy, it just connects everything together," said Palumbo.

Palumbo acknowledged the long-standing neglect of the city’s canals.

"We were on septic system for decades. So what's leached into those canals? What's the proper plan to revitalize them and bring life?" said Palumbo.

A cost estimate for the project is expected next month, which is a crucial step before any final decision is made on whether to upgrade to AWT.

Residents like Rasmussen, who live along the water, see the value in the endeavor.

"We're losing that magic, and we want it back," said Nanette Rivera, another resident.

Rasmussen stressed the urgency of the situation.

"This is not something that's going to go away, and we want action, and if we're not going to get it, we're going to force the issue," said Rasmussen.

The Marco Island City Council is set to review the petition at Monday night’s meeting.

If it meets all legal requirements, they must submit ballot language in English and Spanish to the Supervisor of Elections Office by June 12 for it to appear on the primary election ballot in August.