Orange County, like most populated areas, has polluted waterbodies known as "impaired waters" by regulators. A document called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) tells how much pollution needs to be removed to rectify each source of impairment. To achieve these pollutant reduction goals, stakeholders in the watershed of some impaired waterbodies may work together to create a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). BMAPs contain a comprehensive set of solutions, such as permit limits on wastewater facilities, urban and agricultural best management practices, and conservation programs designed to reduce pollution.
Impaired waters are rare in natural settings but common in urban communities. Pollutants get into waterbodies from stormwater runoff, sewage, septic systems and air pollution. Relative to other urban areas, Orange County is not especially polluted. As of Jan. 2024, the County has 32 waterbodies that are impaired for bacteria, nutrients (nitrogen and/or phosphorus). Most (29) of these waterbodies have TMDL documents developed by regulators that quantify the amount of nutrients and/or bacteria that must be removed before they will no longer be considered impaired.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has a system to designate waterbodies as impaired and a system to establish TMDLs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a system too, and these two systems may not agree. For example, in Orange County there are several waterbodies with EPA TMDLs that are not designated as impaired by FDEP.
Impairments and TMDLs are assigned to land areas called Waterbody IDs (WBIDs) that may be a whole watershed or may be just a part of one.
| Waterbody | WBID(s) | Pollutants (or Indicators) | Waterbody | WBID(s) | Pollutants (or Indicators) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Branch | 3037 | Bacteria (E. coli) | Lake Lancaster | 3168Y | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Bay Lake | 3004G | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Lawne | 3004C | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Big Sand Lake | 3169C | Metals (Lead) | Lake Lawsona | 316829 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Boggy Creek | 3168B | Bacteria (E. coli) | Lake Lotta | 3002G | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| C-29 Canal | 3171EA | Metals (Lead, Silver) | Lake Lovely | 3011D | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a) |
| Cranes Strand Canal | 3014, 3023 | Bacteria (E. coli), Metals (Silver), Dissolved Oxygen), Nutrients (Total Nitrogen) | Lake Lucien | 3011C | Mercury (in fish tissue) |
| East Lake Tohopekaliga Drain | 3172C | Nutrients (Macrophytes) | Lake Mary Jane | 3171A | Metals (Lead) |
| Econlockhatchee River | 2991, 3021 | Bacteria (E. coli), Mercury (in fish tissue) | Lake Michelle | 3168B2 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a) |
| Fairhope Lake | 3004R | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake of the Woods | 3168W4 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Hourglass Lake | 3168X2 | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Orlando | 3004K | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Howell Creek | 2997A3 | Nutrients (Macrophytes) | Lake Pickett | 3003 | Mercury (in fish tissue) |
| Jim Creek | 3042 | Bacteria (Fecal Coliform) | Lake Poinsett | 2983K1 | Mercury (in fish tissue) |
| Johns Lake | 2873C | Mercury (in fish tissue) | Lake Prima Vista | 3002E | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen) |
| Johns Lake Outlet | 2873 | Nutrients (Macrophytes) | Lake Richmond | 3169G6 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Kasey Lake | 3002Q | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Roberts | 2872A | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Kelly Lake | 3002R | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Rose | 3002I | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a) |
| Lake Adair | 2997R | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Sandy | 3169T | Nutrients (Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Angel | 3168X8 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Starke | 3002D | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen) |
| Lake Apopka | 2835B, 2835D | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus), Pesticides (in fish tissue) | Lake Terrace | 3168X3 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Apopka Canals | 2841 | Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Theresa | 3168Y7 | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Arnold | 3168Z3 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Wade | 3168W3 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Baldwin Outfall | 3023A | Bacteria (Fecal Coliform) | Lake Weldona | 3168Y8 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Beardall | 3169G8 | Nutrients (Total Phosphorus) | Lake Weston | 3011A | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Buchanan | 3169A3 | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Lake Winyah | 2997L | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a) |
| Lake Bumby | 3168W7 | Metals (Silver), Nutrients (Chlorophyll_a, Total Phosphorus) | Little Econlockhatchee River | 3046A, 3001B, 3024A | Bacteria (E. coli), Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients (Total Nitrogen) |
| Lake Carlton | 2837B | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Little Wekiva Canal | 3004 | Dissolved Oxygen, Bacteria (E. coli), Nutrients (Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Como | 3168Y2 | Nutrients (Total Phosphorus) | Long Branch | 3030 | Bacteria (E. coli) |
| Lake Condel | 3168X5 | Metals (Lead), Bacteria (Fecal Coliform), Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Marshall Lake | 2854A | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen) |
| Lake Cone | 28932 | Mercury (in fish tissue) | Puzzle Lake Drain | 2964B1 | Dissolved Oxygen, Metals (Iron), Nutrients (Macrophytes, Total Nitrogen) |
| Lake Copeland | 3168M | Nutrients (Total Phosphorus) | Red Lake | 3171C | Metals (Copper) |
| Lake Davis | 3168Y4 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Robert's Branch | 3006 | Bacteria (E. coli) |
| Lake Eola | 3168Y9 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Rock Springs Run | 2967 | Nutrients (Nitrate-Nitrite, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Fairview | 3004T | Mercury (in fish tissue) | Ruth Lake | 2964C | Mercury (in fish tissue) |
| Lake Fran | 3169G3 | Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Saint Johns River | 2893I, 28935 | Metals (Iron, Silver), Mercury (in fish tissue), Bacteria (Fecal Coliform) |
| Lake Frederica | 3036 | Mercury (in fish tissue) | Shingle Creek | 3169A | Nutrients (Macrophytes) |
| Lake G | 3036B6 | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) | Silver Lake | 3004D | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Gem | 2997V | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Spring Lake | 2997S | Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Giles | 3168Z4 | Biology, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Upper Cypress Creek | 3170J | Metals (Lead) |
| Lake Hart | 3171 | Metals (Lead) | Wekiva River | 2956 | Mercury (in fish tissue), Nutrients (Nitrate-Nitrite, Total Phosphorus, Algal Mats) |
| Lake Holden | 3168H | Biology, Nutrients (Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) | Wekiwa Spring | 2956C | Mercury (in fish tissue), Nutrients (Nitrate-Nitrite, Total Phosphorus) |
| Lake Kozart | 3169G4 | Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients (Chlorophyll-a, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus) |
1 Macrophytes are plants large enough to be seen by the naked eye (i.e., not algae or phytoplankton). Chlorophyll a is a pigment produced by plants. Excessive chlorophyll a, algal mats, and overgrowth of macrophytes are all indicators of nutrient pollution.
2 Low levels of dissolved oxygen have multiple possible causes; insufficient oxygen in the water is detrimental to wildlife.
| Waterbody | WBID(s) | TMDL Status | Pollutant of Concern | Required Load Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Lake | 3004G | Final | Total Nitrogen | 39% |
| Total Phosphorus | 66% | |||
| Cranes Strand Canal | 3014 | Biological Oxygen Demand | 57% | |
| Total Nitrogen | 29% | |||
| 3014, 3023 | Final | Fecal Coliform | ||
| 49.2% | ||||
| Kasey Lake | 3002Q | Draft | Total Nitrogen |
29% |
| Total Phosphorus | 62% | |||
| Lake Adair | 2997R | Final | Total Nitrogen | 45% |
| Total Phosphorus | 54% | |||
| Lake Anderson | 3168E | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 22% |
| Total Phosphorus | 52% | |||
| Lake Apopka | 2835D | Final | Total Phosphorus | 75.60% |
| Lake Bumby | 3168W7 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 16% |
| Total Phosphorus | 51% | |||
| Lake Carlton | 2837B | Final | Total Phosphorus | 59% |
| Lake Condel | 3168X5 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 59% |
| Total Phosphorus | 86% | |||
| Lake Davis | 3168Y4 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 48% |
| Total Phosphorus | 78% | |||
| Fairhope Lake | 3004R | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 56% |
| Total Phosphorus | 84% | |||
| Lake Fran | 3169G3 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 24% |
| Total Phosphorus | 70% | |||
| Lake Gem | 2997V | Final | Total Nitrogen | 0% |
| Total Phosphorus | 62% | |||
| Lake Holden | 3168H | Final | Total Nitrogen | 0% |
| Total Phosphorus | 74% | |||
| Lake Kozart | 3169G4 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 58% |
| Total Phosphorus | 78% | |||
| Lake Lawne | 3004C | Final | Total Nitrogen | 26% |
| Total Phosphorus | 49% | |||
| Lake Lotta | 3002G | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 0% |
| Total Phosphorus | 20% | |||
| Lake Richmond | 3169G6 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 59% |
| Total Phosphorus | 69% | |||
| Lake Roberts | 2872A | Final | Total Nitrogen | 16% |
| Total Phosphorus | 28% | |||
| Lake Wade | 3168W3 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 22% |
| Total Phosphorus | 74% | |||
| Lake Walker | 3169G5 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 34% |
| Total Phosphorus | 73% | |||
| Lake Weldona | 3168Y8 | Draft | Total Nitrogen | 50% |
| Total Phosphorus | 83% | |||
| Little Econlockhatchee River | 3001 | Final | Fecal Coliform | 57% |
| Little Wekiva River | 3004 | Final | Biological Oxygen Demand | 11% |
| Total Nitrogen | 45.2% | |||
| 2987, 3004 | Final | Fecal Coliform | 42.6% | |
| 2987 | Final | Nitrate | 59% | |
| Total Phosphorus | 78% | |||
| Long Branch | 3030 | Final | Biological Oxygen Demand | 10% |
| Total Nitrogen | 17% | |||
| Total Phosphorus | 30% | |||
| Final | Fecal Coliform | 32% | ||
| Marshall Lake | 2854A | Final | Total Nitrogen | 35% |
| Total Phosphorus | 69% | |||
| Rock Springs Run | 2967 | Final | Nitrate | 63% |
| Total Phosphorus | 58% | |||
| Silver Lake | 3004D | Final | Total Nitrogen | 24% |
| Total Phosphorus | 70% | |||
| Wekiva River | 2956A | Final | Nitrate | 47% |
| Total Phosphorus | 57% | |||
| 2956 | Nitrate | 68% | ||
| Total Phosphorus | 61% |
* The assessment for mercury impairment is complicated. It relies on a combination of mercury detection in fish tissue, atmospheric monitoring, and inferential aquatic modeling (a statistical technique). Much of the mercury in Florida waters comes from elsewhere. The TMDL says, “Global anthropogenic emissions of mercury are the source of the vast majority of mercury deposition in Florida. Thus, Florida’s achievement of the TMDL is dependent upon not only out-of-state but out-of-country mercury emission reductions.” To learn which waterbodies have fish consumption advisories because of mercury contamination, read “Your Guide to Eating Fish Caught in Florida”, published by the Florida Department of Health.
Whether or not a waterbody has a TMDL, its pollution needs to be addressed. Those waterbodies with TMDLs are at the top of the priority list. Orange County, its cities and the Florida Department of Transportation are all involved in identifying sources of pollution and removing them.
Major projects cost a lot but make a big difference. These have included replacing septic systems with central sewer service, and construction of the Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility.You can find information about what the County is doing to improve water quality in the Project Catalog and Watershed Plan Projects sections of this website.
Small projects are important, too. They add up to big improvements in water quality. Examples include pervious driveways, septic system maintenance, rain cisterns, and ensuring no leaks from the sewer lines in your yard. Everybody needs to help by minimizing fertilizer use, picking up after your dog, and properly disposing of all waste materials. Eliminating pollution at the source is the least expensive solution. The source is us.
Photo source: Orange County Government
Clean water adds to your property value, allows fish and wildlife to flourish in your neighborhood, and provides you with recreational options in your free time.
The TMDL and Impaired Waters program come to us from the federal Clean Water Act and have made a big difference in fixing water pollution problems in Florida, but there is a huge amount of work yet to be done.
The process is complicated every step of the way. The information on this page is a simplified version. Listed below are links to websites for more information.
