An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: Orange County, USF Water Institute

Water-Related News

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Health Caution for Lake Sue - Fawsett Ramp

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June 5, 2023

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Sue - Fawsett ramp.

This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 05/30/2023.

The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Sue - Fawsett ramp.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • It is not recommended that you swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location.
You can check for water quality updates by visiting the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

SCOTUS wetlands decision could spell more construction, major impact on Florida

TAMPA — Nearly a third of Florida — millions of acres — is designated as wetlands, and the recent Supreme Court decision over the type of land could have a major impact in the state, potentially inviting more construction and development. The ruling weakened environmental protections on wetlands by changing what land is and is not protected by the Environmental Protection Agency and the decades-old Clean Water Act.

“This is what drives people to Florida,” said Rocky Milburn, gesturing out to Lake Conservation Park, where he spoke with 8 On Your Side. “This beautiful, beautiful place. But it’s going to disappear.”

Unless wetlands are connected to a larger body of water, they are under less protection, which has environmentalists, like Rocky Milburn of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club, frustrated.

“That’s our drinking water, from these wetlands,” Milburn said. “They hold the water and they filter down to the limestone through the aquifer. It’s very, very important.”

The Sierra Club said more than half the country’s wetlands will be affected, including many in Florida.

“How many people a day are moving to Florida?” Milburn questioned. “How many houses are they building? Just drive anywhere — North County, South County, Lakeland — and there’s wetlands all around us.”

SJRWMD to temporarily close portion of Lake Apopka North Shore Loop Trail

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District will close a portion of Loop Trail at Lake Apopka North Shore beginning June 5

A portion of Lake Apopka North Shore Loop Trail will be closed until further notice.

PALATKA, Fla., June 2, 2023 — The St. Johns River Water Management District will close the Lake Apopka North Shore Loop Trail from Magnolia Park to Conrad Road beginning June 5 until further notice due to construction in the area. Visitors are encouraged to use the entrance located at Lust Road.

The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. There are four trailheads for the Loop Trail with restrooms at the Green Mountain, North Shore/McDonald Canal boat ramp and Magnolia Park trailheads and port-a-lets at the historic pump house. No drinking water is provided along the trail.

Construction will not impact the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, which will be open during regular business hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.

Orange County Dept. of Heath LIFTS Lake Advisory for Lake Virginia

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May 31, 2023

The Lake Advisory for Lake Virginia due to algae toxins has been lifted. Please resume all normal water activities associated with this lake.

City of Orlando LIFTS Lake Alert for Lake Baldwin

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May 30, 2023

The City of Orlando has lifted the Lake Alert for Lake Baldwin.

How the Supreme Court’s wetlands ruling could impact pollution, flooding

The Supreme Court’s decision to curb federal regulations for wetlands could have far-reaching implications for America’s water.

The ruling is expected to open the nation up to more water pollution, experts say. And not only that: They say it could also make the country more vulnerable to floods.

The court Thursday narrowed the federal government’s authority to regulate wetlands, saying it only has jurisdiction over those that have a “continuous surface connection” with other regulated waters such as lakes or rivers.

In practice, this will mean that wetlands that don’t meet this definition will be open to development, unless they are in a state that has its own requirements.

“People will no longer need a permit to fill the wetlands,” Mark Ryan, a former Clean Water Act litigation specialist at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told The Hill on Thursday.

“If you’re a developer and you buy a piece of farmland that had a bunch of wetlands on it that weren’t right next to the river … you could just go out and start filling those wetlands now. You don’t need a permit unless the state requires it,” Ryan said.

A significant number of wetlands are expected to be impacted by the ruling.

Orange County to start second project to try to alleviate Orlo Vista flooding issues

ORANGE COUNTY – Orange County said it’s putting a second project into motion to help the hard-hit Orlo Vista community ahead of the upcoming hurricane season.

In March, construction started on a $23 million fix to expand retention ponds to alleviate flooding. That project is ongoing. In one of the ponds, crews have pumped out water and are working on making it deeper.

The state is set to give Orange County $2 million for a new project also meant to address community flooding. That project will move stormwater from the Orlo Vista lake system to Shingle Creek and then farther south. That water will eventually be reclaimed for Orange County’s water supply to be used for things like irrigation.

Orange County originally asked the state for $6 million to make the new Orlo Vista project possible, but only got $2 million, which means there is a funding gap.

The plan to expand the retention ponds is set to wrap up by 2024, and the new plan to pump out and reclaim water is set to be finished by 2027.

Orange County considers buying out homeowners in flood-prone Orlo Vista

ORANGE COUNTY – Orange County is considering buying out homeowners who live in a neighborhood ravaged by Hurricane Ian.

Eight months after the storm, some homes and land in Orlo Vista still look like the storm ripped through yesterday.

Now some homeowners could have the option of getting bought out of their properties.

SCOTUS sinks Clean Water Act protection for 51% of U.S. waters

'Wetlands that are separate from traditional navigable waters cannot be considered part of those waters.'

A Supreme Court ruling that on its face just allows an Idaho couple to build a home near a lake goes in fact much further than that, eliminating Clean Water Act (CWA) coverage to 51% of previously protected U.S. wetlands.

“Wetlands that are separate from traditional navigable waters cannot be considered part of those waters, even if they are located nearby,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.

“In addition, it would be odd indeed if Congress had tucked an important expansion to the reach of the CWA into convoluted language in a relatively obscure provision concerning state permitting programs.”

In this case, a road bisects the wetlands in question, and the house was going in on the part of the wetlands cut off from the rest. The Court ruled that the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction ended at the road. The water has to be visible and contiguous to be covered by the law.

Water management districts want visitors to enjoy Florida’s springs and rivers responsibly

Here are some reminders to take special care if you're planning to enjoy Florida's nature this weekend.

Before Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, Florida’s water management districts want to remind visitors to springs and rivers to leave no litter and protect nature.

Troy Roberts with the Suwannee River Water Management District said trash takes away from an area’s natural beauty. It is also harmful to plants, animals, and water quality.

“Make sure you’re taking your trash back with you,” Roberts said. “Take care of these natural wonders that we have like you would your own house.”

Roberts added it is also important to protect submerged aquatic vegetation or seagrass, which provides food and habitat, and can serve as an indicator of the health of a system.

“When people are out swimming or floating, they need to stay close to the surface of the water and they’re not trampling the vegetation,” he said. “Walking on it can uproot it, can damage it. Even walking in the sandy areas can prevent new growth in those areas.”

Vivianna Bendixson with the Southwest Florida Water Management District echoed that advice.

“We want boaters and kayakers to enjoy their time on the river, but we want them to do it while reducing their impact to the river,” she said.

Bendixson added that boaters should not moor along the river’s shore, because that contributes to shoreline erosion and the degradation of the system’s overall health.

Water management districts will promote being good stewards of the environment on social media and at their sites throughout the summer when springs see more visitors.

H2O Pipeline program puts high school students on a promising pathway to a lifelong career

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The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently honored the first group of students who successfully completed the H2O Pipeline Program. This initiative, forged through a partnership between Orange County Utilities, Orange County Public Schools, and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association, creates a unique pathway for high school students to enter the water and wastewater industry directly after graduation.

Ed Torres, Director of Orange County Utilities, emphasized the critical need this groundbreaking initiative addresses. “With the retirement rate outpacing the recruitment rate, it is essential for us to cultivate a skilled workforce to maintain the uninterrupted provision of water and wastewater services. This program is a win-win since it seeks to bridge this workforce gap while offering an incredible opportunity for motivated high school students to pursue a rewarding career in the water and wastewater management field,” Torres said.

The program is appealing to students who are seeking alternatives to a traditional four-year college degree, providing them with an opportunity to gain the necessary skills and experience to become water or wastewater plant operators. Magali Colon, Orange County Utilities Plant Specialist, outlined the program’s impact, stating, “Through hands-on training and classroom instruction, these students have the skills and knowledge needed to excel as future wastewater plant operators. This is an extraordinary opportunity for these students to embark on a fulfilling career straight out of high school.”

Orange County looking into ‘stormwater utility fee’

On Tuesday, Orange County’s public works department updated commissioners on stormwater management. Public Works Deputy Director Brett Blackadar talked about what they are doing and researching, especially after last year’s devastating floods.

In Orlo Vista, the county is digging a deeper retention pond, installing a pump station and more pipes to prevent the flooding the area saw last year during Hurricane Ian. Blackadar said the construction project is supposed to be done by fall 2024, though residents could start to see the benefits this year.

“A majority of the people that flooded last time will not experience any flooding,” Blackadar said. “There's some minor flooding that may still happen if we got a Hurricane Ian again, but that is designed for the ‘100-year storm.’ Ian was over a 100-year storm.”

Blackadar told commissioners that Orange County may need more work like this throughout the county; it depends on what public works finds out. They are starting a rainfall intensity study this summer to see if storms are now bringing in more rain which would mean more places are needed to hold that water.

“It is potential that it could impact the developmental property if you had increased stormwater requirements,” Blackadar said. “It's a concern that we're certainly going to look at before we make changes.”

The county is also looking into whether Orange County should implement a stormwater utility fee. The city of Orlando has one where people pay about $10 per month. Blackadar said the stormwater utility fee generated almost $25 million for Orlando last year.

Orlando plastic study aims to reduce waste, protect waterways

The City of Orlando is partnering with a team of local environmentalists to study the main sources of the city’s plastic pollution with the goal of reducing it.

The Circularity Assessment Protocol or CAP study will be conducted by scientists at the DC-based Ocean Conservancy and the University of Georgia.

J.P. Brooker is the Director of Florida Conservation.

He said the goal of the study is to determine how to reduce plastic waste while simultaneously protecting local waterways.

“What starts in Orlando, ends up in the Everglades, water-wise and or ends up in the St. Johns River and out through Jacksonville. And highlighting those connections is really important," said Brooker. "And what we're announcing has a lot to do with the connection between Florida cities and marine debris that ends up in our oceans.”

Brooker said solutions to ongoing plastic pollution are needed with the threat of toxic algae blooms and manatee die offs throughout Florida.

And to keep humans in Orlando safe too.

“They're consuming that plastic in water that they drink. They're consuming it in beer, in fact, and so people in Orlando are certainly drinking water and drinking beer, and they're also taking in plastics on account of that," said Brooker. "And so by having a better understanding of where the plastics are coming from, we can keep the plastics from entering our ecosystem and ultimately entering our bodies and potentially having negative impacts on our health.”

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Health Alert for Cawood Ponds-SW Dock

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May 19, 2023

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of blue-green algae in Caywood Pond – SW Dock. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 05/15/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Caywood Pond – SW Dock.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • We do not recommend that you swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Health Alert for Park Lake-West Shore

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May 19, 2023

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Park Lake – W Shore. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 05/18/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Park Lake – W Shore.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • We do not recommend that you swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Florida environment groups, businesses urge DeSantis to veto ‘attack’ on fertilizer bans

A DeSantis veto would save important measures to curb urban pollution, the groups urged.

Dozens of Florida businesses and environmental organizations are calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a budget item that could curtail local fertilizer ordinances and stymie future water quality efforts.

A coalition of 55 groups from across the Sunshine State, including Alachua County commissioners, wrote a letter to DeSantis late last week urging he use a line-item veto to slash a proposed $250,000 appropriation for University of Florida researchers to study the impact of preempting local fertilizer regulations for the next year.

A local fertilizer ordinance — like the one Pinellas County initiates from June through September — aims to prevent polluted, nutrient-heavy water from flowing off lawns and parks during Florida’s rainy season. That runoff can fuel toxic blue-green algae and red tide blooms that plague Florida’s cherished coastlines and cost the state millions in missed tourism dollars.

More than 100 municipalities across Florida, including more than 20 local governments in Pinellas, have used rainy season fertilizer bans as a tool to prevent souring the state’s waters.

St. Johns Riverkeeper launching expedition to investigate submerged aquatic vegetation loss

ST. JOHNS COUNTY – The St. Johns Riverkeeper is launching a multi-day expedition to investigate the lost grasses of the St. Johns River. The mission is to raise awareness about the fragile state of the river and demonstrate the need for urgent action.

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs) are an essential indicator of river health and are vital to the continuation of a healthy river ecosystem.

SAVs are sources of refuge, oxygen, habitat and food for many aquatic species including the West Indian Manatee.

Yet, scientists have concluded that most SAVs have disappeared in the lower St. Johns River. Estimates put the loss as high as 99 percent.

SAVs do periodically decline as a result of droughts or hurricanes, but the grasses typically begin to bounce back within a few years. However, this time is different. The grasses in the St. Johns have not returned since Hurricane Irma. The question is why?

What is preventing the regrowth of the SAV?

Government environment agencies have offered several possible reasons, but consensus has not been reached and more needs to be done.

As a result, St. Johns Riverkeeper is launching a multi-day expedition to investigate the case of the lost grasses.

The team will spend several days on the water monitoring the most threatened habitat of the St. Johns River. They will patrol an 80-mile stretch of the river between Doctors lake and Lake George in search of remaining SAV beds.

The hope is to answer questions on the massive decline of SAVs and to find solutions to restore the vital habitat.

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Health Caution for Lake Martha-NE Shore

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May 12, 2023

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Martha – NE Shore. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 05/11/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Martha – NE Shore.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • We do not recommend that you swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location
  • Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Health Caution for Lake Burkett-Center

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May 12, 2023

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Burkett – Center. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 05/11/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Burkett–Center.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • We do not recommend that you swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location

Check for water quality updates on the FDEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Lake Advisory LIFTED for Lake Pearl East

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May 12, 2023

The Lake Advisory for Lake Pearl East has been lifted.  Please resume all normal activities.


March 27, 2023

Recent lab results from a follow-up sample collected on Lake Pearl East near the Woodside Village Ramp indicate the continued presence of algae toxins in the water column.

As a result, Lake Pearl East will continue to be closely monitored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) staff. The FDEP will collect follow-up samples for analysis at a future date (possibly 1-3 weeks) determined by the FDEP for Lake Pearl East and will provide updates on any possible further detection of algae toxins as reported on the FDEP Algal Bloom Reporting dashboard (https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom).

Please continue to refrain from irrigating or recreating on the lake, including swimming, fishing, and boating until further notice.


February 20, 2023

Recent lab results from a sample collected on Lake Pearl East near the Woodside Village Ramp indicate the presence of trace amounts of algae toxins in the water column.

As a result, Lake Pearl East will be closely monitored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) staff. The FDEP will collect follow-up samples for analysis at a future date (possibly 1-3 weeks) determined by the FDEP for Lake Pearl East and will provide updates on any possible further detection of algae toxins as reported on the FDEP Algal Bloom Reporting dashboard (https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom).

Please refrain from irrigating or recreating on the lake, including swimming, fishing, and boating until further notice.

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Caution for Lake Estelle-NE lobe

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ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Estelle - NE lobe. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 5/4/2023.

The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Estelle - NE lobe.

Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • We do not recommend that you, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • We recommend keeping pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location
You can check for water quality updates by visiting the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Orange County Dept. of Health issues Blue-Green Algae Bloom Caution for Lake Rowena near NE corner

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ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a Health Caution for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Rowena near NE corner. This is in response to a site visit and water sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on 5/4/2023.

The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Rowena near NE corner.
 
Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to begin doing so remains poorly understood. For this reason, it is important to exercise caution, as bloom conditions are dynamic and could change at any time. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.
 
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
  • We do not recommend that you, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom
  • Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth
  • We recommend keeping pets and livestock away from the waters in this location
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location
You can check for water quality updates by visiting the statewide Algal Bloom Dashboard.

City of Orlando lifts LAKE ALERT for Lake Lawne

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May 11, 2023:

UPDATE: The City of Orlando has lifted the Lake Alert for Lake Lawne that was put in place on May 9th.


May 9, 2023

The City of Orlando is issuing a Lake Alert for Lake Lawne due to a sanitary sewer overflow at the intersection of Fairvilla Rd. and W. Colonial Dr.

The City advises that all residents cease water activities and irrigation from Lake Lawne until further notice.

The City will post updates via the Lake Alert system and at orlando.gov/lakealert as they are made available.