Experts says less bacteria plaguing Bimini Basin in Cape Coral

Last year a local waterway in Cape Coral was plagued with bacteria and derelict boats.

Despite an advisory for the water at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, experts tell us there’s less bacteria in Bimini Basin.

“It got a lot of attention, so it’s certainly something that we prioritize,” Sgt. Bennett Walker said.

Walker, a member of Cape Coral Police Department’s marine unit, said there were more than 10 boats anchored in the basin at one point. Now, there are only four.

“In the past year, we’ve gone through the process to actually have those boats pulled out of the water and eventually destroyed,” Walker said.

But sinking boats was not the only issue in Bimini Basin. In 2018, the rotary club was forced to cancel its cardboard boat race because of the water quality issues.

“We canceled the event because we just didn’t want to put the people in the water,” Tim Hauck said.

MORE: Cardboard Boat Regatta to be held at Seahwak Park in Cape Coral 

The city told us it tests the water quality at the basin about every two weeks. Most tests come back in a good range. But the recent storms have the city keeping a close eye on Bimini Basin, since officials believe stormwater runoff earlier this month left the water in poor range for bacteria.

CPD also told us anyone who anchors in Bimini Basin and wants to use Forum Freedoms Park need to register with the harbormaster. That way, CPD can contact the owner if there is a problem with their boat.