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Waterways Committee Prioritizing Issues Presented in Water Quality Report | News

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The City of Marco Island’s Waterways Advisory Committee met on Friday, December 16 for their final gathering before the end of 2021 and ushering in 2022. Although the agenda was short, the subject matter has had a life of its own over the last several years.

Water quality, on Marco and throughout the entire State of Florida, is a subject matter that has received considerable attention over the last decade. The issues go far beyond just the those concerning the Everglades Restoration Project. They encompass a wide variety of topics that for decades ahead will seriously impact the state and create “quality of life” issues.  

Recently, the City of Marco Island received a comprehensive water quality report for the island. The city had commissioned Environmental Research and Design (ERD) to conduct a review of water quality concerns. Earlier this year, the report was delivered to the city by Dr. Harvey Harper, who heads ERD.

Marco’s many canals, which were originally dredged out by the Deltona Corporation, have been impacted over the five decades since the island’s first new homes and condominiums were built. Over the years, residents’ desire to see green lawns and flowering landscaping has impacted the water quality, Harper points out in his almost 500-page report. 

Harper’s report addresses the fact that something needs to be done to improve the water quality, and points out that Marco Island is not alone in facing these challenges. Watering lawns too much, with water that contains too many chemicals, as well as not doing enough to keep those nutrient laden waters from reaching the sensitive waterways around the island has been a problem throughout Southwest Florida.



Stormwater runoff is an issue, polluting canals with high nutrient flows.

 

City council recently referred the report to the Waterways Advisory Committee for their input about what should be prioritized as the city develops a plan to address these concerns moving forward.

As part of that process, the committee entertained a position paper from Clean Marco Waters, LLC. This organization of three citizen advocates took the Harper Report and developed five priorities for immediate action, all of which were included in the consultant’s report.

  • Create a municipal stormwater utility taxing district for all of Marco Island. This would serve to elevate the importance of clean water to a separate city department, reporting to the city manager. This would allow the hiring of additional staff whose priority would be concentrated on water quality. The creation of the utility would place the city in a better position to access state and federal funding for improvements.

  • Improve the utility plant with an eye to reducing the nutrients in the re-use water. Additional utilization of the deep injection wells during the rainy season, rather than using reuse when it is not needed.

  • Proposing significant reduction in application of fertilizers and herbicides combined with a stricter enforcement policy. They are also proposing the establishment of target goals for reductions in the use of fertilizers by specific numbers and years.

  • Improve public education outreach and promote the changes being advocated locally to the regional level in Collier County. Encourage the elimination of septic systems in adjoining communities.

  • Continue water quality monitoring and expand test sites. Retain outside professional monitoring of those test results.

The advisory board will take into consideration these suggestions, as well as others, and fabricate a formal presentation for the Marco Island City Council at one of its February 2022 meetings.

 

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In a sealed room, would snake plants keep you alive? Study doesn’t say that

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Could a common houseplant keep you alive in a sealed room if you couldn’t open the windows? 

A Facebook post claims that the snake plant can.  

“According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, the snake plant is so effective in producing oxygen that if you were locked in a sealed room with no airflow, you would be able to survive with just 6-8 plants in it. NASA recommends 15 to 18 medium to large size plants for 1,800-square-foot home for optimum air quality.”  

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

NASA did conduct a study, in partnership with a landscaping trade association, of how plants can solve indoor air pollution. But its study didn’t draw conclusions about whether plants could produce enough oxygen to keep people alive in a sealed room.  Other research has dismissed the idea of air-cleaning plants as impractical. 

The study covered two years of data and was published in 1989. It was supported by a division of the NASA Office of Commercial Programs and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. The landscaping group then used the study’s findings to promote the use of plants indoors. 

Study authors looked at a dozen plants, and how they reduce the presence of several toxins: benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. One of those plants was Sansevieria laurentii, also known as a snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue. 

The plants were placed in sealed Plexiglas chambers, which were contaminated by the toxins. Two chambers were 30-by-30-by-30-inch cubes, and two were twice the volume. Air samples were taken in timed intervals after the toxins were introduced. 

The snake plant was shown to remove TCE, benzene and formaldehyde, though other plant varieties removed more of these toxins, according to the study. Researchers wrote that the plants, along with activated carbon filters, “have demonstrated the potential for improving indoor air quality by removing trace organic pollutants from the air in energy-efficient buildings.” They said that fans that move air through  activated carbon filters should be included in any plan to reduce indoor air pollution with plants. 

But the Facebook claim is about what would happen if a human was locked in a room with no airflow. The NASA study did not test how the introduction of humans into the chamber would change the results, and researchers acknowledged this. They wrote that scientists were looking into it, but as of the study’s publication in 1989, they said, research was limited: “NASA studies at Stennis Space Center, private studies by Biosphere 2 in Arizona, and USSR studies in Siberia are beginning to present a clearer picture of what man can expect to experience when sealed inside facilities with plants and soil as his major means of life support.”

We reached out to NASA several times about this claim. A spokesperson directed us to the clean air study, but attempts to obtain more information about it were unsuccessful. 

Other research

Since the NASA study, other scientists have looked into the effects of plants on indoor air pollution. 

In 1992, an official with the Indoor Air Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, wrote a critique of the NASA study, and said that scaling up the number of plants used in the study for use in a house — the author estimates 680 plants would be required in a typical house — makes using them impractical, and would cause other problems, such as increased humidity.    

A study published by the American Society of Horticulture Science in 2009 found that snake plants were effective at reducing ozone in indoor environments, but that more study would be necessary to determine the number of plants required in an area. The study recommended inexpensive houseplants as a way to mitigate indoor air pollution in the developing world.  

In 2019, a review of a dozen studies over 30 years was published by scientists at Drexel University, and their findings show that plants are not effective at cleaning the air. 

“Plants are great, but they don’t actually clean indoor air quickly enough to have an effect on the air quality of your home or office environment,” said Michael Waring, an associate professor of architectural and environmental engineering at Drexel. 

Drexel researchers found that the natural air exchange that happens in buildings works faster than plants to remove volatile organic compounds. They also found that the number of plants required to remove such compounds makes it impractical to use them for this purpose. According to their calculations, it would take between 10 and 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space to compete with the air cleaning capacity of a few open windows or a building’s air handling system.

Our ruling

A Facebook post claims that according to a NASA study, six to eight snake plants could produce enough oxygen to keep humans alive in a room with no airflow. 

We found no evidence to support that claim. A 1989 NASA study found that snake plants could remove certain toxins from small sealed spaces under certain conditions. But it did not examine whether snake plants would be able to keep humans alive in sealed rooms. Other researchers have questioned the NASA study’s findings and found that relying on plants is an impractical way of cleaning indoor air. 

We rate this claim False.

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Health officials warn people in Banks Peninsula to boil water as it could be contaminated

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People on Banks Peninsula’s eastern bays should boil their water because it might be contaminated after heavy rain, Canterbury health officials say.

The water supply from Port Levy to Flea Bay could be polluted by run-off from farm land and septic tanks following last week’s deluge, which could make people sick.

Most of the supplies in the area are private and are not treated or tested.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said people heading to baches and holiday homes should not drink the water.

“If you live in the eastern bays of Banks Peninsula, or are visiting this area, do not drink the tap water – boil all water before using it for cooking, cleaning your teeth or for drinking. Or use bottled water,” he said.

Pink said contaminants in the water could cause a gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and a high fever.

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Allergic to Your Christmas Tree? Here’s What an Allergist Suggests You Do

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Christmas trees bring exciting surprises, like presents you rest beneath them and the myriad ornaments they collect throughout the years. However, they can also bring a peskier surprise: If you get a real fir tree for your living room, you can experience allergy symptoms as a result. Below, an allergist breaks down how to tell if you’re allergic to your Christmas tree. Don’t worry; there are a handful of things you can do to prevent allergies from completely ‘grinching’ your holiday season. 

How to know if you’re allergic to your Christmas tree

“If soon after putting up the Christmas tree, you start to have sneezing, asthma, hives or any other allergic reactions, it’s the tree or what’s on it,” says Heather Moday, DO, is a leading immunologist/functional medicine doctor and the author of The Immunotype Breakthrough. It goes without saying that you should be cautious when it comes to experiencing things like sinus congestion, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, fever, and any other common COVID-19 symptoms. If these symptoms appear once you have come in contact with your tree, allergies are possible. However, getting tested for COVID-19 helps rule out the virus and protects those around you.

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That said, your tree might have residual pollen—picked up from other trees and weeds—from where it was grown, Dr. Moday says. There could also be microscopic mold spores on the branches. When trees are brought inside, these pollen and mold allergens can be released into the air and cause reactions to those who might be sensitive. “It’s uncommon to be allergic to pollen from pine and fir trees themselves. They just act as carriers,” Dr. Moday says.

Some people are sensitive to the sap or resin from touching fir and pine trees and may develop an allergic reaction on their skin. Topical antihistamine cream can help soothe a rash that arose after touching a tree. The best way to avoid this reaction is to avoid touching the tree. If decorating your tree is important to you, consider wearing long, thick sleeves, gloves if you get a rash from the tree, and a mask if you experience sinus symptoms. 

What to do if you’re allergic to your Christmas tree

If you’re experiencing allergies soon after setting up your tree or arriving at a family member’s home—you have some options. First things first, don’t touch the tree further and have someone else grab gifts so that you can keep a distance. Additionally, a HEPA air purifier could help reduce the potential irritants in the air,  Dr. Moday says. If symptoms are mild, antihistamines, nasal rinses, and corticosteroid nasal sprays should keep things at bay while the tree is around. If you experience any difficulty breathing that worsens over a short period, you may have a more severe interaction and should contact a provider or go to an emergency room. 

Another issue can arise from your holiday decor, Dr. Moday adds. Artificial trees, decorations, tree skirts, and lights are often stored in dusty, moldy basements and attics, so these can also add to the allergy burden. Try to shake the decor outside when you start to decorate. You can also let the allergens disperse further by leaving decorations in a dry area of your garage for a few days before bringing them in, Dr. Moday says. Make sure ornaments are kept in plastic containers and any fabric decorations washed before and after use. 

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Housing societies asked to ensure clean drinking water to residents

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LAHORE: Minister for Environmental Protection Muhammad Rizwan has said 100pc implementation of all laws including housing and saltwater waste management in housing societies is primary responsibility of local authorities of all departments concerned including local government.

Private societies are required to ensure supply of clean drinking water to their residents and action will be taken against those societies which fail to provide quality services and their NOCs will be canceled, the minister said during a meeting with DC Sialkot at his office on Wednesday.

The minister said Sialkot would be made a model district in terms of housing societies. He said weekly meetings would be held to ensure implementation of rule and regulation in housing societies and this practice would ensure implementation in all districts of the province.

Minister Muhammad Rizwan said government officials should perform their professional duties with honesty and true spirit. He warned that strict action should be taken against the housing societies which are causing environmental pollution.

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Covid-19 Home Recovery Survival Guide: How to disinfect your room and other precautions

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SINGAPORE – Home recovery is now the default care management model for people infected with Covid-19 who have mild or no symptoms.

While those on the Home Recovery Programme (HRP) must isolate themselves in a room and refrain from interacting with anyone, there is a higher risk of other people living in the same home becoming infected with the virus. Hence, there is a need to take more thorough precautions.

Experts share tips on how people can maintain hygiene and cleanliness during HRP.

Ventilating the room

Covid-19 patients should avoid switching on the air-conditioner and open the windows to keep the isolation room well ventilated.

Dr Tan Teck Jack, chief executive of the Northeast Medical Group clinic chain, says switching on the air-con with the windows closed may result in viral particles escaping from under the door, potentially spreading the virus.

Instead, it is better to switch on the fan and point it away from the room door towards the windows.

If patients switch on the air-con in the room, they should get an air-con specialist to wash it after the isolation period, says a cleaning expert. “This is because the Covid-19 virus is airborne and particles may be trapped in the coil,” says Mr Bryan Wong, a cleaning specialist at cleaning firm Hiremop.

Serving food and washing utensils

The patient’s family members should wear masks and ensure meals are left just outside the patient’s room door, says Dr Tan. They should move away before the patient opens the door to ensure safe distancing and to minimise contact with the patient.

Use dedicated utensils and cutlery set aside for the patient if disposable ones are unavailable, he adds.

After the meal, patients should wash the utensils and cutlery themselves before placing them outside the room, says Mr Johnson Zhuo, founder and managing director of cleaning company Dream Sparkle.

However, if the utensils cannot be washed in the room, the family member tasked with collecting the finished meal should wear gloves before carrying out the task.

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Water woes: Student tackles high fluoride levels in hometown water – Farmville

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Growing up in Isle of Wight County in Virginia’s tidewater region, Longwood chemistry major Kaleigh Beale ’22 was puzzled about why many of her elementary school friends had brown stains on their teeth. She asked her parents what was causing this problem and why her teeth were not stained.

Most of the county’s residents get their drinking water from a well and naturally occurring high fluoride levels in groundwater can cause mild to severe tooth discoloration during adolescence, when teeth are still forming.

“We’re mostly on well systems in Isle of Wight County,” Beale said. “But the difference was we filtered our water so my teeth didn’t get brown. Not everyone has the resources to filter their water, but my parents did.”

Fast forward to her senior year at Longwood and Beale is now using her senior thesis project to investigate the fluoride content in the county’s water and propose possible solutions that will help residents mitigate high levels in the drinking water. Children and the elderly are most at risk for health complications caused by regularly drinking water with high fluoride levels and the county has issued drinking water advisories.

“I talked with a lot of community members and they were all adamant that there’s a problem with our water and it needs to be solved,” Beale said. “It’s expensive to have a Brita filter to filter your water all of the time. My goal is to give them a cost-effective way to detect and remove the fluoride from their water.”

Working with Dr. Sarah Porter, professor of analytical chemistry who is overseeing the thesis project, Beale spent about five to six hours a week this semester conducting lab research. They purchased a $400 device that enables them to use the standard method used in a professional lab that does water testing.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 parts per million (ppm) is an acceptable limit for fluoride levels in drinking water. Long-term consumption of drinking water that has fluoride levels of 4.0 ppm and above can cause skeletal fluorosis, a chronic bone and joint disease that causes bones to become weaker and more brittle.

Beale, a chemistry major with a minor in biology, gathered five water samples from locations in Isle of Wight County, including samples from her own family members’ homes. What she learned was unsettling, although based on her experiences not that surprising.

She found that the fluoride levels in all of her samples were well above 1.5 ppm and two samples were above 4.0 ppm–including her grandmother’s water, which registered a 5.3 ppm fluoride level. For comparison, Beale also tested Farmville tap water, which is treated by the town water plant. The Farmville sample was 0.3 ppm fluoride.

“People are just drinking it,” Beale said, adding that her grandmother had not been filtering her water but that she will be getting a water filter soon.

Ultimately, she hopes to produce a brochure or informational product to be distributed to members of the community that explains ways they can detect and remove fluoride from their water. She also plans to share a report of her findings regarding the fluoride levels of her samples with county leaders.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and some communities have larger concentrations than others. Agricultural runoff in rural areas can also contribute to higher levels of fluoride in groundwater.

This fall Beale experimented with using dyes that change the color of fluorinated water based on different concentrations of the mineral. For example, if a dye was added to water with a low concentration of fluoride it would be pink but at higher concentrations, it would turn orange.

“Those are some of the cheaper and easier solutions we are investigating,” she said

Beale also bought a water test kit from Amazon and found that its results weren’t accurate as far as detecting fluoride levels. She noted that this is relevant since this is a method that is easily accessible to the public, although not necessarily useful.

In the spring semester, Beale plans to investigate and study cost-effective fluoride removal methods, such as filtering with charcoal and aluminum powder.

The senior thesis program is voluntary and students are required to develop their project and pitch it to the senior thesis committee. This spring Beale will write her thesis and present it at Longwood, in addition to submitting it for presentation at professional conferences.

“She’s doing a great job and it’s because she is doing something that she is interested in,” Porter said. “When you do chemistry research I think most people think it’s just spending time in the lab but there’s a lot more to it than that for senior thesis students. There’s a significant writing component as well.”

Beale, who will graduate in May 2022 with honors, plans to attend medical school. She is a member of the Cormier Honors College for Citizen Scholars and also part of Longwood’s LIFE STEM program.

She said one of the reasons she decided to do a senior thesis was to get experience doing intensive research as she looks toward medical school and narrowing down what type of job she eventually wants to pursue. She said so far she has learned that she does not want to do medical research or work primarily in a lab setting.

“While I’m passionate about my topic, I decided I want more of a dynamic working environment,” she said. “However, I do like the problem-solving aspect of research and overall my passion for medicine drove me to try to help my community using what I’m learning at Longwood.”

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The Recorder – Lightlife Foods rep speaks to resolution of Clean Water Act violations in Montague

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Published: 12/22/2021 5:06:41 PM

Modified: 12/22/2021 5:06:26 PM

MONTAGUE — The president of Greenleaf Foods, SPC — also known as Lightlife Foods — released a statement this week to affirm that the company’s pH regulation issues that are the subject of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been resolved.

The statement from Greenleaf Foods President Dan Curtin comes after the EPA announced its settlement on Monday. The settlement addresses violations of Clean Water Act pretreatment regulations by the soy-based food production facility.

An investigation conducted by the EPA found that Lightlife Foods at 153 Industrial Blvd. discharged low-pH wastewater into the town’s sewer collection system, corroding pipes, killing beneficial microbes and causing odor. The settlement, which includes a $252,000 penalty benefiting the EPA, necessitated usage of a wastewater pretreatment system by Lightlife Foods to help the company stay in line with regulations.

“EPA’s settlement with Lightlife Foods has ensured that wastewater discharges leaving their facility are no longer damaging the town of Montague’s wastewater infrastructure,” Environmental Protection Agency New England Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro said in a press release.

Lightlife Foods’ regulatory violation — the improper sewage disposal of acidic cleaners and lactic acid used to soak soybeans — is the company’s latest infraction in Montague. According to the town’s website, Lightlife Foods submitted “multiple monthly reports” greater than 30 days after the due dates from September 2019 to April 2020 and failed to “report violations of oil and grease local limits” in January and February 2020.

Curtin said Lightlife Foods was “very concerned” after receiving word of its violations, noting that the company had been sampling its wastewater pH and “felt confident” in its compliance with regulations. After identifying the issue, he wrote, the company provided an interim solution before completing the installation of a permanent pretreatment system in February.

“We are confident that our new system ensures we are operating the facility in full compliance with environmental laws,” Curtin wrote.

Water Pollution Control Facility Superintendent Chelsey Little previously said Lightlife Foods’ violations were identified by the EPA after the Water Pollution Control Facility reported processing issues. She hesitated to isolate Lightlife Foods as the sole cause for the issues, but said the EPA’s investigation found the company’s wastewater pH levels to be at least a significant factor. Rather than having a pH close to 7 — which is the level of pure water — the pH was radically toward the acidic end of the scale, closer to the pH of lemon juice or gastric acid.

“This isn’t like a 6 pH,” Little explained. “It was like a 1 or a 2.”

Curtin added that, while the company is “deeply sorry for any concerns this has raised among community members,” he isn’t aware of any structural damage caused to Montague’s wastewater infrastructure.

“We are relieved that to our knowledge,” he wrote, “no damage was caused by the instances of low-pH wastewater discharge from the facility.”

The lasting impact on the town’s wastewater infrastructure remains unclear, however. Montague Department of Public Works Superintendent Tom Bergeron, when reached earlier this week, said his department is in conversations with the Wright-Pierce engineering firm about spring infrastructure projects, with a condition that assessment and possible repairs to the town’s sewer system have the potential to be included.

Curtin also said he believes Lightlife Foods’ use of a “new and effective water treatment solution reflects (the) company’s commitment to protecting our environment.”

“Our company is strongly committed to complying with all local, state and federal environmental laws,” he wrote, “and to protecting the local environments in which we operate.”

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or [email protected].

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Stop yourself from falling sick; top 5 tips

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Phones, tablets, laptops and other gadgets were already being much used and abused, but the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic made them even more important and they are now in your hands almost 24/7! Which also means you more prone to catch the coronavirus from the surface of these devices. Phones, tablets, and computers are all high-touch surfaces that can acquire dirt, grime, germs, and viruses, leaving you sick. Though, the risk of contamination of coronavirus through the surface is very much there and in any case it is better be safe than sorry. Therefore, it is critically important for you to know how to disinfect your phone screen, laptops on a regular basis.

The steps for the precautions to disinfect your phone, laptop, computer and more, are as simple as wiping them down with a soft cloth or with a little alcohol-based sanitiser. While disinfecting your devices, keep a check on the following points:

Did you go out in public? Then disinfect your device no

You must always disinfect your device after using it in public. Remember, WHO asked all of us to disinfect our clothes, objects and even vegetables that we used to bring home in the early days of the pandemic? Well, that is still needed.

When you use your phone or laptop in public after touching other surfaces, then the risk of getting viruses increases. Hence, always disinfect your phone when you get back to your home. Public washrooms especially are prone to be heavily contaminated areas and therefore you must never use your phone there to prevent contamination.

First, rub away dirt, fingerprints

Remember to clean your device as you clean your spectacles! You must remove all visible grease, dirt, and debris before disinfecting your phone, tablet or laptop. Especially, while cleaning your laptop screens. Use dry and soft microfiber to wipe all the surfaces of your devices. Don’t even use a tissue or paper towels, as these can scratch the surface of your device.

Clean all sides of your device

You should use alcohol-based sanitiser or disinfectant to disinfect your devices. Do not spray disinfectant directly on the devices, it can get into any ports of the device, which can damage it. Remember to spray 70% alcohol-based disinfectant onto a cloth or use Clorox disinfectant to to gently wipe your devices.

Power off

Never clean your device while it is still plugged-on. Using alcohol-based disinfectant to clean your devices while on a charger can damage it in case a little moisture gets inside . It cancels out the risk of electric shock totally.

Soap and water treatment

Wash your phone covers with soap and warm water. Remember, not just your phone but your phone cover can also be the source of contamination of viruses. To clean your phone cover, take it off and wash it with soap and warm water.

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Water Permitting – Your Questions Answered

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Michelle Hopkins is a Florida registered professional engineer and is the regulation division director.

By Michelle Hopkins P.E., Regulation Division Director

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) uses regulatory programs to better manage stormwater, provide flood protection and protect water resources such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwater supplies. Regulation staff at the District evaluate Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), Water Use Permit (WUP) and Well Construction Permit (WCP) applications and compliance information. Regulation Division Director Michelle Hopkins explained the different types of permits the District issues and why they are needed.

Q: Why does the District issue permits?

A: Water is a public resource that belongs to all of us. However, fresh water is not limitless. Excessive water withdrawals can harm the resources. District permitting benefits residents, property owners and businesses by reducing the risk of flooding and protecting water quality and water supplies for current and future generations.

Q: Do I need a District permit? And if so, what type of permit do I need?

A: If you want to withdraw large quantities of water, develop property or construct a well, there’s a good chance you’ll need a District permit.

Water use permits allow the withdrawal of specific quantities of groundwater or surface water for limited periods of time under certain conditions. You need a water use permit if:

• You plan to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons per day.
• The outside diameter of your groundwater well is 6 inches or larger.
• The outside diameter of your withdrawal pipe from a surface water body is 4 inches or larger.
• The total withdrawal capacity of your system is 1 million gallons per day or larger.

Environmental resource permits (ERPs) ensure that a new development properly treats stormwater runoff to remove pollutants, compensates for any losses in floodplain storage, mitigates for any impacts to wetlands and does not increase the rate of stormwater runoff onto neighboring properties. You need an ERP if your construction project:

• Disrupts wetlands
• Encroaches on a floodplain
• Increases, decreases or diverts stormwater runoff
• Contributes to water pollution

Well construction permits are required prior to installation of a well within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors and meet rigid safety and durability standards. Generally, a withdrawal for personal domestic use for an individual home is small enough to fall below the threshold for requiring a water use permit. However, if you are constructing a well, your water well contractor will still need to get a well construction permit.

Q: Where do I get my permit?

A: You can apply for a permit at watermatters.org/permits or by submitting a permit application to your local District service office.

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