Charlotte County is emerging as one of the premiere places to live and visit on the west coast. As Charlotte County grows, it is imperative that our polices and practices contribute to the long-term health, enjoyment and availability of our water. The One Charlotte, One Water is a holistic concept for resource management, and treats all water – our harbor, rivers, bays, canals, creeks, potable water, wastewater, stormwater, reclaimed water – as one water.
This plan considers the future and emphasizes a House-to-Harbor approach joining County government, regional agencies, and the citizens we serve to protect our water for future generations.
Current Events
Now Available to Review: The DRAFT One Charlotte, One Water Plan
The One Charlotte, One Water draft process is nearly complete! Since 2023, the Plan has been a BOLD GOAL of the County Commission that will align water quality improvement efforts throughout the County's departments. The Plan will be the guiding document for future strategies to manage water resources for the built and natural environment.
The Plan has seven parts: the Summary, Section 1 and Secton 2 set the stage for the need and purpose of the One Charlotte, One Water Plan. Sections 3A-3D detail the four focus areas and present the Visions, Pathways and the Tasks to achieve the Visions. The Appendices are the supporting ducuments for the plan.
One Charlotte, One Water Task Summary
Section 1: Introduction and Origin of the Plan
Section 2: Charlotte County's Past and Present Water Story
Section 3A: Monitoring, Modeling and Watershed Improvement Planning
Section 3B: Stormwater Management
Section 3C: Drinking Water and Waste Water
Section 3D: Policy, Programmatic and Orginizational Activities
Appendix A: Water Related Policies of the Comprehensive Plan
Appendix B: Technical Memorandums
The current iteration of the Plan has been shaped by months of interdepartmental coordination and comments from pubic meetings, with this being the final opportunity for public comment and feedback. You can provide feedback by taking the survey below. While the survey can be taken independently without reading the above material, it is stongly suggested that you visit each section to learn more about Charlotte's past, present and future water story. The survey will be accessable from October 17 - November 21.
Take the survey now: One Charlotte, One Water Plan.
Meetings and Public Input Opportunities
Currently, there are no public meetings scheduled.
Current Charlotte County Water Quality Monitoring initiatives
Charlotte County implemented the first phase of its county ambient monitoring in June 2022. The goal of Charlotte County's ambient monitoring program is to obtain information on the condition of surface waters flowing within Charlotte County. This is meant to supplement existing monitoring efforts in Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, such as the monitoring programs maintained by the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership, and the Charlotte Harbor/Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserves just to name a few. This water quality monitoring program monitors local canals and waterways monthly. Information regarding the project and sample locations may be found via the following links:
Monitoring Sites Location Map Charlotte County WQ Monitoring Program Plan Data Dashboard
If you have any questions, concerns, or recommendations regarding any element of the county monitoring strategy, please contact OneCharlotteOneWater@charlottecountyfl.gov
South Gulf Cove Monitoring Dashboard
Since 2009, the South Gulf Cove MSBU has been funding collection of quarterly samples at five locations in their area.
Please contact OneCharlotteOneWater@charlottecountyfl.gov with any questions or comments about the South Gulf Cove Monitoring Dashboard.
Current Beaches and Waterways Status
- Red Tide Status Map
- Healthy Beaches Monitoring
- Beach Conditions Reporting System – Mote Marine Laboratories
- Charlotte County Health Alerts
- FDEP Water Quality Monitoring Events
- FDEP Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring
- Emergency Utilities Notices – Charlotte County Utilities Department
- FDOH Fish Consumption Advisories