FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- August is National Water Quality Month, and Lee County encourages residents and landscapers to take simple steps to keep local water sources safe, both for humans and wildlife.

Actions don't need to be monumental. Residents can take small steps to do their part in protecting water quality. The easiest way is to Fertilize Smart – not just during the summer ban, but year-round.

Follow Lee County Ordinance 08-08 through Sept. 30.

• From June 1 to Sept. 30, Lee County residents are prohibited from using fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus. When rain washes fertilizer away from yards, its phosphorus and nitrogen content can contribute to red tide outbreaks and harmful algal blooms. Not only does this have destructive impacts on local waterways, but it also can suffocate and harm marine life.

While the fertilizer ban is suspended from October through May, residents are reminded to:

• Sweep up spills: If fertilizer spills onto a sidewalk, driveway or other hard surfaces, don't grab the hose. Instead, reach for the broom to prevent fertilizer from entering local waterways.
• Avoid impervious surfaces and keep fertilizer at least 10 feet away from lakes, canals, rivers, creeks and other bodies of water.
• Don't fertilize if rain is in the forecast.

Simple, actionable steps can make a significant difference in the protection of Southwest Florida's waterways. To learn more about how to fertilize smart, visit FertilizeSmart.com.

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