Hello, Residents for Resilience!
R4R UPDATE:
R4R is so glad to have so many new members from cities throughout Broward County added to our team. The more members we have, the greater our voice when needed on critical water issues that all of you care about so deeply. Since climate change isn't coming, it’s already here, city leaders need to place safe clean drinking water, storm resiliency, flood mitigation, and the restoration of our priceless waterways at the top of their list of priorities.
IS OUR DRINKING WATER SAFE?
Safe clean drinking water, which is a basic human right, is now in question. Officials have jumped into action after toxic chemicals have been found in South Florida tap water. Studies are also currently underway here in Broward County’s on the corrilation between the high rate of advanced stage breast cancer, which exceeds the state and national average, and the increased presence of arsenic and glysophates in our drinking water. You may want to think about adding a Reverse Osmosis system under your kitchen sink...check out our website for more info!
And speaking of safe clean drinking water, residents, some who are members of our R4R team, who live in the beautiful Water Garden luxury condo in downtown Las Olas, have had to boil water for over 22 days due to a broken antiquated water line. This break is one of four which they have had to deal with this past year. Not only is a crisis like this trying, but it is also worrisome for health and safety issues. Can you believe that boil water alerts happen a few times a week in neighborhoods throughout Fort Lauderdale? Thankfully the boil water notice has been lifted and these residents no longer have to find temporary memberships to health clubs to showers. Commissioner Warren Sturnman pushed for expediting the replacement of the antiquated waterline, which has been needed to be replaced for years. Millions of dollars have been spent on planning stages of the Las Olas Beautification Project, with the future projected spending of over $160 Million for the entire project. Wonder why R4R questions Fort Lauderdale’s Budget Priorities?
Antiquated sewer and water lines?
Beware, these breaks may soon be coming to a neighborhood near you!
BLUE GREEN ALGAE ALERT!
And as you’ll see below, harmful algal bloom is stil active in our priceless waterways. It is very important to avoid water acitivities in areas where there is an acitve algae bloom since it is not only toxic to humans, but to pets too! And remember, the salt water that is flooding onto our streets due to King Tides may be contaminated!
Do not swim in or around blue-green algae. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, wash off with soap and water, especially if your skin is easily irritated.
To report a bloom, contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 855-305-3903 or make a report online atwww.reportalgalbloom.com.
Resources:
Dayana Diaz
Senior Strategic Communications Specialist
City of Fort Lauderdale
(954) 828-4742
DDiaz@fortlauderdale.gov
WATER QUALITY DASHBOARD?
R4R has been requesting more informative health and safety information including warning signage, and in-depth shared data on our critical water issues, unfortunately, with little success. With this in mind our team, which includes many Eco-Marine and Water Quality Specialists, have been busy fine tuning our proposed Marine Waterway Water Quality Research Pilot Project and a proposes Drinking and Waterway Quality, easy to use, easy to find Dashboard. We have meetings with our friends at the County this month to discuss these proposals, we’ll keep you udated!
BROWARD COUNTY WATER ADVISORY BOARD
Some of our R4R members attended their September meeting which had a in-depth discussion on the newly recommended Underground Water Table map .Dr. Jennifer Jurado, County Deputy Director and Chief Resilience Officer, gave another very informative presentation on Flood Mitigation and Storm Resiliency. Check out this meeting in it’s entirety below. (At this time, the City of Fort Lauderdale is hesitant in enforcing this newly updated flood mitigation data map).
LET’S TALK WATER RESILIENCE
Just in case you are interested, I was asked to speak at the15th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit at the Miami Convention Center on Thursday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. The invite is below.
Also, R4R is planning a new “Let’s Talk Water Resilience” Zoom Webinar Series which will invite Experts in Flood Mitigation, Drinking Water Concerns, Storm Resiliency, and Waterway Restoration, to inform and speak with all of our members. These seasonal webinars will discuss societies ability to adapt to critical water issues forced upon us by ever changing weather patterns or socio-ecological factors. We hope to provide important information to help with wisely and timely adjustments that may have to be made in an uncertain future. Out Fall Webinar Series invite will be coming soon!
WELCOME!
We would again like to welcome our new members!
Don’t forget to send in your questions, comments, and pictures of polluted waterways. Your eyes, ears, and instincts are needed!
Thanks for Caring!
Suzee Bailey
Founder Residents for Resilience
.
If you are interested in getting more involved with some of the critical issues
with which we are trying so diligently to address
please contact us at:
res4resilience@gmail.com
