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
Check back often for opportunities for input and discussion about the draft One Charlotte, One Water plan. Your questions and insights into how we can work for you and with you to protect our waters now and into the future are important. Below are a few key docuements in the plan development.
Current comprehensive plan water quality elements
Meetings and Public Input Opportunities
Charlotte County Climate Vulnerability Assessment Input Meeting August 12th. 2025
Charlotte County invites the public to review and provide input into the County’s Vulnerability Assessment. Draft results of the study will be presented beginning at 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda.
The assessment was implemented to study and assess the risks and impacts to County assets from existing and future climate conditions. Funded by the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership, a member of the EPA-funded National Estuary Program, this vulnerability assessment used local and regional data as well as public input to understand how changing environmental conditions could increase local flooding, especially from the impacts of stronger and more frequent extreme storms. Understanding these risks will guide County decisions related to public policies as well as future planning and investing in infrastructure and capital improvement projects. Recommendations from the plan will support a more resilient future for all residents and businesses.
Come see the future of Resilient Charlotte County!!
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