FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. \u2014 For years, South Florida residents have battled an ongoing water problem \u2014 derelict boats, illegal sewage dumping, and worsening water quality from Miami Beach to Hollywood. Now, Fort Lauderdale is taking action.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople could be getting sick, and they don\u2019t know why,\u201d said Suzee Bailey, founder of Residents for Resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city just recently adopted an ordinance that limits overnight anchoring to no more than 30 days,\u201d said Marco Aguilera, Fort Lauderdale\u2019s chief waterways officer.<\/p>\n
Lake Sylvia, along the Intracoastal Waterway, has long been a hotspot for boats anchoring for extended periods. Aguilera said the new enforcement is already visible on the water. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll see some of these sailboats actually have red tags on them,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have a certain amount of time left in their permitted 30 days before they come into violation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ordinance, which went into effect Sept. 18, has already led to a significant reduction in the number of derelict or at-risk vessels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s at some point been up to 40 boats in here. The boats would frequently drag anchor, sometimes sink, catch fire,\u201d said Aguilera. \u201cAnd one of the many things that they would often do is illicit discharge of their sewage.\u201d<\/p>\n
City leaders say the sewage problem has been especially destructive. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe recreation opportunities in places like Fort Lauderdale are really important,\u201d said Mayor Dean Trantalis. \u201cIt\u2019s great that kids and families are able to take jet skis and swim. And it should always be open to the public and not someone\u2019s sewage pit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, Fort Lauderdale operates four pump-out stations where boaters can properly dispose of their waste. But the city is expanding its efforts, recently approving the purchase of a mobile sewage pump-out vessel similar to one used successfully in Martin County. The service will be available through a mobile app.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you can ask to have your bilge processed through this boat that\u2019ll be on call and demand,\u201d Trantalis said. \u201cYou can discharge your bilge through this boat, and it will prevent the sewage from going into the waterways.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new service is expected to begin early 2026. The city says it will help target problem areas identified by Miami Waterkeeper, which regularly tests 11 sites throughout Fort Lauderdale and plans to add microbial source tracking to strengthen its monitoring.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing the water quality improve, seeing the water clarity improve \u2014 that\u2019s what I really want to hear from the locals that use the water every day,\u201d Aguilera said.<\/p>\n
Protecting local waterways is about more than just policy \u2014 it\u2019s about preserving a way of life. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe coolest thing I could do as a kid was spend time on the water,\u201d Aguilera said. \u201cAnd I hope my kids are able to do the same thing one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pump-out boat program will be free to residents and visiting boaters, with the state covering 75% of the cost. City officials say they\u2019ve seen similar programs succeed elsewhere and are optimistic it will do the same in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n
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