On Monday, August 26, Marco Island City Council Candidates Stephen Gray and Tamara Goehler toured the Marco Island Wastewater Treatment plant, where they were given an in depth presentation by manager Jeff Poteet on how Marco treats wastewater.

Marco Island’s wastewater treatment plant, essential for managing sewage, has come under scrutiny due to its practice of reusing treated water for non-potable purposes like irrigation. While this approach conserves freshwater, it has sparked concerns among residents and environmentalists about its impact on the island's canals, where water quality has been declining.

Critics argue that despite treatment, the reused contains nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which contribute to harmful algal blooms and the degradation of marine life in the canals. These concerns have led to a debate about whether the current treatment processes are adequate for protecting the island’s ecosystem.

In response to these issues, Stephen Gray and Tamara Goehler are actively seeking the most effective and cost-efficient solutions to address Marco Island's water quality problems.