Innovative Technologies and Applications

The task force concluded that innovative technologies are potentially available to aid in prevention, cleanup and mitigation of HABs. Technologies, however, vary widely in approach, scalability and cost.

Click on each recommendation below to learn about state actions taken to address it. 

Recommendations 

  • Investment in a diverse portfolio of technologies that: (1) Are demonstrably cost-efficient, environmentally safe and scalable. (2) Have the potential to detect, monitor and forecast HABs, enabling more proactive response. (3) Aid in the development and/or implementation of technologies to reduce nutrients and/or harmful algae.

    DEP’s Innovative Technology for HAB Mitigation Program provides funding to government entities to support the evaluation of emerging technologies and processes aimed at reducing local impact from freshwater HABs. The program focuses on three areas:

    • Prevention of algal blooms by eliminating excess nutrients in two ways.
      • Prevent the nutrients from getting into waterways.
      • Remove nutrients from waterways.
    • Predict when and/or where a bloom may occur.
    • Clean up a bloom after it has occurred.

    DEP institutes a cautionary, two-step approach to the challenge of identifying cost-effective, scalable and environmentally safe technologies for addressing blue-green algae blooms. Since 2019, the state has invested $65 million to fund and test over 65 innovative technologies that detect, prevent, clean up and mitigate HABs in a cost-effective, safe way.

    To assist local governments, DEP has established six state-wide contracts for cleanup and prevention. These agreements were created in a manner that allows for entities to avoid the lengthy process of procuring a vendor to address HABs that may occur within their communities. This includes three vendors that were previously evaluated through the innovative technology grant process and provide a rapid response to blooms.

    DEP has adopted two NPDES Generic Permits in Rule 62-621.300(9) F.A.C.: “NPDES Generic Permit for Discharges of Pollutants Associated with Pilot Testing for the Control of Harmful Algal Blooms”, and “NPDES Generic Permit for Discharges of Pollutants Associated with the Control of Harmful Algal Blooms,” (both effective Dec. 9, 2024) in response to the need for a streamlined permitting process for treating harmful algal blooms in the state. The generic permits include a pilot testing phase and a full-scale permit to address the emerging technologies that meet the requirements specified in the rule. All other experimental technologies not conforming to the requirements would be required to obtain an individual wastewater permit.

    Executive Order 23-06 provides for the continuation of the red tide emergency grant program and creation of a similar blue-green algae grant program to support state and local government response efforts.

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