Lake Okeechobee faces a severe water quality crisis due to an overload of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This excess nutrient load stems from two sources: external loading (nutrients entering the lake from runoff) and internal loading (nutrients released from the lakebed).
A major contributing factor is the internal loading of “legacy” phosphorus. This phosphorus, trapped in the lake’s bottom sediments, is continually released, fueling water quality issues such as toxic blue-green algal blooms. The subsequent spread of toxins damages the wider ecosystem, flowing into the Everglades, the Caloosahatchee River, and the St. Lucie River. Ultimately, this nutrient pollution contributes to coastal “red tide” problems that severely harm Florida’s economy and tourism industry.
What’s Being Done to Solve Lake Okeechobee’s Algae Problem?
To address these ongoing challenges, a comprehensive water quality restoration effort is underway to reduce phosphorus levels. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has selected the proven tool of alum (aluminum phosphate) application as a key strategy to restore water quality and, in turn, mitigate toxic algal blooms and enhance the habitat of the lake.
What Is SOLitude Lake Management Doing to Help Restore Water Quality In Lake Okeechobee?
SOLitude Lake Management has been selected to conduct targeted alum applications on Lake Okeechobee over three years, with the first round of applications beginning in June 2026. Our role is focused on reducing the excess internal phosphorus levels that degrade habitat and sustain toxic algal blooms.
Our team brings decades of experience as alum experts, with a documented history of successfully restoring water quality in numerous large lakes and securing their removal from the federal Impaired Waters List. We are deploying specialized, GPS and computer-controlled equipment to ensure the most effective and precise treatment of the affected areas.
Project Expectations
It is important to understand that alum does not directly eliminate algae; instead, it improves lake habitat and water quality by lowering excess phosphorus levels. When water quality and phosphorus levels are balanced, conditions become less favorable for nuisance algal growth, making algal blooms less likely to occur.
We expect to permanently bind over 6,500 pounds of phosphorus currently located in the lakebed, which will decrease the amount of phosphorus entering the water column for use by algae.
Application Location
Our application will occur just north of the entrance to the Port Mayaca Canal, and our hours of operation will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
To learn more about alum and how it works, click here.
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Who is Funding the Water Restoration Project at Lake Okeechobee?
The water quality restoration efforts at Lake Okeechobee are being funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), which has dedicated a specific financial commitment to the project.
