FY 2015-2016 Accomplishments

• Escambia County Water Quality Laboratory acquired certification from the Florida Department of Health.The county laboratory now provides analytical services for the following Fields of Accreditation: drinking water (microbiology), non-potable water (general chemistry, metals, microbiology), and solid and chemical materials (general chemistry, metals) for a total of 68 parameters in water, soil, and sediment using 32 separate analytical methods.
• Managed more than $30 million in competitive grants for natural resources projects including water quality and habitat improvement projects.
• Completed the 8.3 mile nourishment of Pensacola Beach.
• Escambia County joined the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership. Public and private landowners work together through the partnership to support large-scale restoration and land management activities.
• Successfully managed regulatory compliance and monitoring requirements for county NPDES Stormwater Permit, Bayou Chico Basin Management Action Plan, and total maximum daily loads.
• Developed and began implementation of two separate Bacteria Pollution Control Plans for the Carpenters Creek and Eleven Mile Creek watershed.
• Conducted groundwater and surface water sampling for county landfills at a cost savings of approximately $100,000 annually.
• Managed the WQLM volunteer and intern program designed to provide experience for college students and graduates. A total of 20 interns completed 1,257 hours during the fiscal year.