Science & Research

All of our work–from boots-on-the-ground data collection to advocacy, to litigation–is rooted in a foundation of scientific rigor.

Biscayne Bay is the lifeblood of Miami’s environment, economy, and culture. As a vital estuary that supports diverse marine life and offers recreation, tourism, and fishing opportunities, the health of this waterway is essential to both wildlife and residents. However, the Bay faces significant threats due to pollution, climate change, and human impact.

Why Water Quality Matters

Water quality is fundamental to the health of Biscayne Bay and its surrounding ecosystems. Clean water supports the region’s coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and fisheries, all of which provide essential services such as coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and food security. Additionally, millions of residents and visitors rely on the Bay for recreation and tourism. In 2023, a study revealed that the bay contributes $64 billion annually to our local economy through tourism, recreation, and commercial activities.

However, poor water quality can lead to devastating consequences, including:

• Degraded Habitats: Pollutants from stormwater runoff, septic systems, and sewage discharges can degrade critical habitats for wildlife, including endangered species.
• Algal Blooms: Excessive nutrient pollution leads to algal blooms that deplete oxygen, kill marine life, and threaten human health.
• Fish Kills: Low oxygen levels can result in fish kills, damaging marine biodiversity and affecting local fisheries.

Key Threats to Biscayne Bay’s Water Quality

Miami Waterkeeper focuses on tackling the most pressing threats to the Bay’s water quality:

Water Pollution Habitat Degradation Sea Level Rise

MWK’s Water QualityMonitoring Program

Miami Waterkeeper conducts a robust Water Quality Monitoring Program to collect and analyze water quality from your favorite waterways and beaches. Why? So we can let you know right away whether your water has unsafe levels of bacteria. All you have to do is check our social media or the Swim Guide app for the latest results; “red” means best to avoid swimming; “green” means bacteria levels are low. Our array of recreational and canal monitoring sites serves a vital purpose – to bridge the gaps within the Florida Healthy Beaches monitoring program and make it easier to access water quality data. 

Novel Research

We start tackling issues by diving deep into the existing scientific literature and identifying knowledge gaps that impede the development of science-based policy. We coordinate with researchers, professors, and experts to conduct research that helps close these gaps, enabling the scientific community to make fact-based policy recommendations. Miami Waterkeeper is currently the lead principal investigator (PI) on one federally-funded research project:

Green Infrastructure Accelerator Project