Opponents Tout Survey Opposition to Federal Water Quality Standards

Critics of proposed federal water quality standards in Florida on Wednesday pointed to new survey results suggesting that a majority of residents oppose them and would vote against candidates who support them. But the question is based on the presumption that the regulations will cost as much as the utilities who are opposing them say they will.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year proposed specific numeric limits for nitrogen and phosphorus in Florida waterways. The EPA said Florida waterways have become choked with weeds and algae because the state's narrative standard was too vague. But opponents, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, agriculture, utilities and industry groups, say the federal proposal will cost too much and may be impossible to meet....