One of Sarasota County’s most important challenges for the present and the future, is to protect water bodies from pollution-laden runoff. Any water that hits a surface, whether that surface is a roof, car or road, runs into our bays, estuaries, canals and rivers, either through direct runoff or a system of storm drains that protect area residents from flood waters.

The water that runs off is always a potential carrier of oils, solid and pet waste and harmful fertilizers. Sarasota County maintains a number of programs that address the hazards of surface water, from flood control to overall water quality. It also maintains rainfall and water levels throughout the county on any given day of the year.