City of Orlando issues LAKE ALERT for Lake Copeland

January 24, 2022

On January 13, 2022 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) tested water samples from the Southeastern corner of Lake Copeland and determined that potentially unsafe concentrations of toxins are present in the lake. As a precaution, we are advising everyone to refrain from swimming, recreating and irrigating in/from Lake Copeland until further notice.

For reference, cyanobacteria/blue-green algae are always present in the water, however, not all bacteria have the ability to produce toxins. Toxicity is hard to predict because a single species of algae can have toxic and non-toxic strains. Nothing can be done to treat algae blooms without causing massive fish kills. In the coming weeks, the City of Orlando will work closely with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to monitor Lake Copeland. Once the City obtains more information on the status of the lake, it will continue to update this Lake Alert.

Please encourage your neighbors to register for the Lake Alert at orlando.gov/lakealert so they too will get important information about Lake Copeland directly.

In the meantime, as stated above, the City would advise that everyone (including pets) refrain from swimming, recreating and irrigating in/from the lake until further notice.