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Problem

Nitrogen pollution remains one of the most pressing issues facing Sarasota Bay. Excess nitrogen runs off from impervious surfaces and contributes to pollution issues in the bay. 

What are storm drains?

Storm drains are openings along curbs, streets, roads, and parking lots that collect rainwater. 

What is stormwater pollution?

When rain hits gutters and storm drains, it becomes "stormwater," picking up fertilizers, pet waste, sediment, and yard debris along the way. Stormwater typically flows off yards, rooftops, driveways, and other hard surfaces into the street and then into storm drains. Most neighborhoods do not have a stormwater treatment system, meaning that any waste and pollution that enters a storm drain will eventually enter Sarasota Bay. 

What are some sources of nitrogen in stormwater?

  • Fertilizer not applied at the right time, right place, or in the right amount
  • Pet waste that is not picked up
  • Grass clippings that remain on hard surfaces like sidewalks and streets, or worse, directed into storm drains
  • Reclaimed irrigation water when it is sprayed onto hard surfaces, directed into a neighborhood pond, or applied in excess

Adopted from Kennish, Michael. (2009). Eutrophication of mid-Atlantic coastal bays. Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy of Science. 54. 5-12.

The graphic above illustrates a simplified example of what happens when too much nitrogen enters marine waters. Critical bay habitats, such as seagrass meadows, are affected by nitrogen pollution. Similarly, harmful algal blooms (HABs) such as Red Tides take over. When this happens, marine wildlife and aquatic ecosystems pay the price, along with our recreation and tourism industries.

As residents living and recreating in this watershed, we share responsibility for maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Managing nitrogen pollution doesn’t just protect the environment; it also protects our health and livelihood.

Solution

We aim to reduce nitrogen at the El Conquistador Parkway outfall by working with Manatee County Government, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and local volunteers to implement this campaign. Neighborhoods that live upstream of this outfall will be invited to participate in this pilot project, beginning with a nitrogen audit to calculate the nitrogen footprint and then taking pledges to reduce excess nitrogen. We will encourage residents to become a Storm Drain Ambassador and join us to mark storm drains in the neighborhood with Manatee County's Environmental Protection Division:

This new neighborhood initiative is about turning individual actions into a collective impact for Sarasota Bay!

How can you help?

  1. We're looking for a second community to pilot this program. If you live in any of the following neighborhoods, we would love to get in touch with you! Please reach out to Pia at [email protected].

    • Turnberry Woods at El Conquistador
    • Legend's Cove
    • Legend's Bay
    • Esplanade By The Bay

  2. Our monthly nitrogen monitoring program is still going strong. Peyton is now tracking 14 sites as of August 2026! We are continuing to build baseline data and pinpoint where we can act. Want to support this work? Donate at https://www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/donate!

Useful Resources

  1. City of Bradenton. Stormwater FAQs: What is a storm drain? https://cityofbradenton.com/index.asp?SEC=225168D1-3194-4104-90E3-D5E1872344DE&DE=B20CC771-A8DA-4D48-8658-98C4F1FC2B0B

  2. Healthy Pond Collaborative. Healthy Ponds Guide: The Essential Homeowner’s Guide to Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Neighborhood Stormwater Ponds in Southwest Florida. https://tampabay.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HEALTHY-PONDS-GUIDE-2022-12-screen-view.pdf

  3. Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension Office. Stormwater Pond Info For You. https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/stormwater-pond-resources/home

  4. Suncoast Waterkeeper. Nitrogen pollution. https://www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/nitrogen_pollution

  5. Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. In Your Yard: Bay Friendly Living Guide. https://sarasotabay.org/get-involved/bay-friendly-living/in-your-yard/

  6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (April 13, 2026). Soak up the rain: What's the problem? https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/soak-rain-whats-problem