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City says Manual Branch bacteria levels appear driven by legacy and natural sources, not a steady sewage source
Summary
City staff and consultants reported monthly sampling shows elevated but stable E. coli in Manual Branch; HF183 (human DNA) and acetaminophen tests have trended to non-detects, prompting the city to continue targeted monitoring, infrastructure investigations and public outreach rather than immediate major dredging.
The Fort Myers Environmental Advisory Board heard a detailed update on water-quality monitoring and remediation work in the Manual Branch watershed on Jan. 6, with city staff saying results point to legacy or natural sources rather than an ongoing human sewage source.
Justin Mahone, the citys environmental compliance manager, told the board the city developed a Pollution Reduction Plan in 2021 after a large sewer spill in 2020, and that the plan remains the guiding document. "HF183 and acetaminophen have been non-detected in recent quarters," Mahone said, describing those results as the evidence that persistent elevated bacteria levels are likely attributable to natural or legacy sources rather than a continual human point source.
GHD project manager Jenna Martin walked the board through sampling methods, laboratory protocols and action-trigger levels used to evaluate E. coli and human-waste indicators. Martin said field…
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