Best Practices

Water Quality Best Practices

Here are some guidelines to observe to help keep our canals clean and safe for boating and swimming.

Use fish cleaning stations with trash receptacles and wastewater hookups – do not throw remains into canals. Dispose of unwanted bait and fish cleaning remains in leak proof receptacles – store in bait freezer for later use or to dispose of on trash day morning. Do not feed fish at your dock
Prevent yard debris from entering canals
Limit use of yard chemicals – do not use near canals
Limit use of fertilizers – do not use near canals
Direct rain gutter down spouts to planted areas and away from canals – consider installing rain barrels or cisterns
Create vegetated buffers next to canals
Dispose of oil and hazardous household wastes at the Cudjoe Key Transfer Station
Use biodegradable boat cleaning products
Properly maintain your boats / engines to prevent discharge into canals
Prevent discharge of oily boat bilge water into canals
Sanding, painting, and other major repairs should be done away from the canals
Florida law and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary regulations combine to create no-discharge areas that include the canals, Newfound Harbor, and waters about six miles past Looe Key reef. Regardless, use enzyme-base products in your holding tank instead of deodorizers and disinfectants which contain chemicals harmful to aquatic life.