Representatives of the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District addressed the City Council on June 4 to urge more testing and community education aimed at reducing nutrient pollution in Apopka’s lakes.

A district supervisor (Seat 3) said the majority of Apopka lakes have not been tested for nitrogen and phosphorus—the nutrients most associated with eutrophication and harmful algal growth—and offered to train volunteers to take water samples and help identify which lakes are showing elevated nutrient levels. The supervisor told the council that nutrient runoff from fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides applied to lawns washes into local lakes during heavy storms and contributes to algae overgrowth and declining aquatic health.

The speaker proposed targeted outreach, including HOA presentations and public meetings, to teach homeowners alternative lawn‑care practices and to promote water‑absorbing landscaping (for example pond cypress and red maple) and tree plantings that reduce runoff. At the hearing the supervisor noted that a live oak can absorb roughly 100 gallons of water a day under normal conditions and emphasized that appropriate plant choices can help manage stormwater and reduce nutrient delivery to lakes.

Dr. Jim Moyer, a member of the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, gave a historical overview of soil and water conservation policy and stressed the importance of local, coordinated conservation efforts. Moyer traced the origin of soil‑conservation districts to federal responses to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, discussed the evolution of state and federal water‑quality law, and cited Florida’s role in agricultural water‑policy implementation (he referenced Florida statutes governing soil and water conservation and the state’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy). He urged “all hands on deck” to address climate‑linked extremes—higher temperatures and variable precipitation—that can worsen erosion and water pollution.

Council members thanked the presenters and asked staff to work with the district on outreach. The district representative said the agency is an elected volunteer board with limited funding and asked for in‑kind support such as meeting space and coordination with county extension and other partners.

No formal council action was taken; presenters sought partnership and education opportunities and offered a volunteer training program to expand local lake monitoring and homeowner education.