The Marco Island Civic Association (MICA) yesterday announced the launch of a major community initiative designating 2026 as “The Year of Clean Water on Marco Island.” The initiative calls on residents, businesses, landscapers, and City officials to unite around a Five-Point Clean Water Action Plan designed to protect and restore the island’s canals, bays, and Gulf waters.
“Marco Island’s waterways are not just scenery — they are the foundation of our property values, our tourism economy, our marine life, and our quality of life,” said Ron McClay, President of the Marco Island Civic Association. “The science is clear, the sources are documented, and the solutions exist. 2026 is the year we stop debating and start acting.”
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus have fueled algae blooms, reduced water clarity, and stressed Marco Island’s coastal ecosystem. MICA’s initiative addresses these threats head-on through a coordinated five-point framework uniting community action with municipal accountability.
The Five-Point Clean Water Action Plan
1. Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT). MICA is calling on the City of Marco Island to approve and fund upgrades to the island’s wastewater treatment plant to AWT standards, reducing Total Nitrogen to ≤3 mg/L and Total Phosphorus to ≤1 mg/L in reclaimed water before it enters island waterways.
2. Fertilizer Ordinance Enforcement. Marco Island has fertilizer and nutrient ordinances on the books. MICA is calling for meaningful enforcement through expanded code patrols, mandatory landscaper registration, seasonal compliance sweeps, and a revised fine schedule.
3. Yard Debris and Canal Protection. Yard waste deposited near canals is a significant and largely invisible source of nutrient pollution. MICA is calling for canal-edge signage, mandatory landscaper training, and a citizen reporting system for violations.
4. Landscape Modernization. Current City code mandates turf coverage that drives fertilizer use and irrigation demand. MICA is urging the City to loosen minimum turf requirements, incentivize Florida-Friendly landscaping, and establish model guidelines that make it easier for residents to choose native plants over grass.
5. Public Transparency and Water Quality Dashboard. MICA is calling on the City of Marco Island to launch a public Clean Water Dashboard publishing quarterly nutrient trend data, canal turbidity and chlorophyll-a levels, and annual resident satisfaction surveys — giving residents the information they need to hold government accountable.
“Clean water is a right for all, Island wide,” added Ruth McCann, Executive Director of MICA. “It is a shared asset and a shared responsibility. MICA is inviting every resident, business owner, landscaper, and civic organization to join us.”
Progress updates will be announced through MICA’s website and community channels.
This initiative is supported and endorsed by Clean Marco Waters, LLC (CMW), a Marco Island civic advocacy organization dedicated to water quality and responsible development. For information about CMW’s support of this initiative, contact Rick Woodworth at douglaswoodworth@comcast.net and check out their website at cleanmarcowaters.com.
One Island. One Water. One Commitment.
The Marco Island Civic Association (MICA) is a non-partisan community organization dedicated to the quality of life, environment, and civic welfare of Marco Island, Florida. MICA represents residents, businesses, and stakeholders committed to responsible community stewardship. Ron McClay serves as President and Ruth McCann as Executive Director. For more information, contact Ruth McCann at rmccann@marcocivic.com or (239) 642-7778.