Large amounts of rainwater from Elsa could impact SWFL water quality

Some are worried Elsa will have lasting impacts on water quality in Southwest Florida.

Experts say when we see large amounts of rain in a storm like Elsa, the water will quickly carry harmful nutrients and toxins along with it to the Gulf and waterways.

An aerial photo taken by pilot Ralph Arwood showed discharge from Naples Bay through Gordon Pass post-Elsa.

“Here’s the problem in Florida is none of these waters have any lack of nutrients. They suffer from excessive nutrients almost everywhere,” axplained Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani. “So nutrients aren’t really limiting to harmful algal blooms in many cases. So just adding more and more to an already bad situation is, you know, kind of trial by fire on harmful algal blooms.”

In terms of impact on water quality, Cassani says it could take some time before we see what happens to the Gulf and waterways. He says a lot of the water still has not made it to where it will eventually end up.