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LAKE ALERT

City of Orlando Update and Final Lake Alert for Lake Lawne

To address citizen concerns related to water quality, the Stormwater Section has developed a public information system, "Lake Alert," to provide seasonal and localized warnings (and updates) for City of Orlando lakes. An announcement has been provided below regarding the lake(s) where water quality has been a concern.

UPDATED Information - Two consecutive sampling events with low (fecal coliform) bacteria counts have determined that Lake Lawne's bacteria levels meet the State of Florida's acceptable water quality standards for recreational activities. Therefore, please resume with normal activities on the lake.

Type of water pollution or concern:

Location – On October 9, 2009, in the vicinity of Mercy Dr and W D Judge Dr.

Cause – A multi-family residential community experienced a blockage in their private sanitary system, causing sewage to overflow into their stormwater system, discharging sewage directly into Lake Lawne.

Overflow – Approximately 1,200 gallons of sewage entered Lake Lawne.

City response – On October 9, 2009, City Wastewater personnel responded to and investigated the sewage overflow that occurred on private property. Property Management was required to stop the overflow by clearing the blockage and to clean the impacts of the overflow within the parking lot and localized stormwater system. In addition, City Wastewater personnel gave Property Management compliance instructions to be completed within a specified deadline that will included measures to prevent future incidences. Simultaneously, City Stormwater personnel took several bacteria samples of the lake water to measure the potential impact of the spill. As a health precaution, the City advised that all water contact activities and irrigation cease until further notice.

Public notification –

Please continue to call the Lake Alert number, (407) 246-2220, for the most up-to-date information regarding your lake. During weekdays, the City's Lake Alert website, www.cityoforlando.net/lakealert will also have the latest information.

For further information, please contact Lisa Lotti, Stormwater Compliance Program Manager with the City of Orlando Streets and Stormwater Division. She can be reached at (407) 246-2037.

WHAT IS A LAKE ALERT? 

To address citizen concerns related to water quality, the Stormwater Section has developed a new public information system, "Lake Alert," to provide seasonal and localized warnings (and updates) for City of Orlando lakes.  Here you will find information related to lakes where water quality is a concern, as in the case of a sanitary overflow or following an atypical rainfall or long durations of rain.  Please check here for updates, including the type of water quality hazard and severity and to be notified when the waterbody is safe again for recreational purposes.  Updates to this site will be made during City of Orlando normal business hours ONLY.  Call the Lake Alert Recorded Message at (407) 246-2220 for information 24 hours a day.  

***For email notification of Lake Alerts on areas of your interest, please continue to the Lake Alert sign-up form.***

WHAT WILL A LAKE ALERT LOOK LIKE? 
Here’s an example:

Type of water pollution or concern:
brief summary of details, including pertinent dates and times of pollution occurrence, water quality sample collection, if applicable, and posting of signs.

Location – exact location of spill and lake impacted

Cause – how the pollution occurred

Overflow – estimate of quantity of pollution discharged into the lake

City response – how the pollution was and will be treated prior to the removal of lake water quality warnings

Public notification – how the public will be notified of the potential pollution source

Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of party to which questions can be directed.

LAKE ADVISORIES (ONGOING)

1.  WARM WATER WARNINGS:
Avoid Naegleria fowleri and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)

Parasitic disease caused by Naegleria is very rare—only a few hundred cases have ever been reported—however a few common sense precautions will protect people from acquiring this and other water borne infections:

  • Avoid swimming in very warm water, especially if it is shallow and/or stagnant (not moving). The majority of PAM cases have resulted from exposure to water that is 26°C (80°F) or warmer.
  • Avoid taking in water through the nose while swimming, diving, water skiing, or jumping into water. A nose clip can be used to prevent water being forced up the nose.
  • Stay out of the water if “No Swimming” signs are posted.
  • Do not swim in swimming pools that are very warm or that are not properly maintained, even if the water is chlorinated. Naegleria fowleri is resistant to chlorine.  

Please click on the links below for more information:

Orange County (Florida) Health Department PAM Fact Sheet

Orange County (Florida) Health Department PAM video public service announcement (PSA) and website

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Fact Sheet

2.  BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOMS:
Know the facts about health concerns related to blue-green algae exposure

Blue-green algae are simple plants that occur in water and wet areas.  An algae "bloom" is a rapid buildup of algae that creates a green, blue-green or brown color on the surface of the water.  They are often found in standing water in lakes and ponds near the shoreline.  Warm, calm water and nutrients contribute to the rapid growth of algae.  Blooms can occur any time of year, but are typically observed from the early spring to the fall in Central Florida.  

Only a few types of blue-green algae are known to produce toxins, however, there is no way to determine visually whether or not a bloom is toxic.  If you suspect and algae bloom is present, it is best to stay out of the water, keep pets away, and contact the City of Orlando Stormwater Hotline at  (407) 246-2370.  If you do contact the water, wash thoroughly with a clean source of water.  Do not use the affected water for drinking or cooking as toxins cannot be removed with filtration, boiling, or chemical treatments.  However, activities near the water are safe.  Eating fish caught during a bloom can pose a health risk.

If toxic algae is swallowed it can cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps, fainting, numbness, dizziness, tingling, and paralysis.  Skin contact can cause rashes or irritation.  Children and pets are at greatest risk.

Characteristic images of algae blooms: 

Appears as green paint spill on surface.         Appears as spongy green mat on surface.

3.  DO NOT SWIM IN LAKES DIRECTLY AFTER ATYPICAL RAINFALL EVENTS:

The sanitary and stormwater sewers are two separate systems in the City of Orlando, meaning that stormwater enters natural waterways through storm drains, and sanitary sewage (wastewater) is transported for treatment to the wastewater plant.  Despite this separation, following unusually heavy rainfall there is the potential for sanitary sewage overflow, which can carry bacteria from untreated sewage onto paved areas, into storm drains, and into our lakes commonly used for recreational purposes. 

In short, please delay your recreational activities at the lakes until 48 hours following an unusually heavy rainstorm, particularly those activities that involve people or pets entering the water directly or during which water could be swallowed (examples:  jet skiing, water skiing or swimming).    People who fish within the 48-hour window should wash their hands after touching the water. Anyone who wants to eat fish caught in the city lakes within the 48-hour window should cook them thoroughly to kill bacteria. 

Why 48 hours?  Over the 48 hours, lakes left standing without disturbance provides time for any bacteria to settle to the bottom, somewhat purifying the surface water. 

Contact (407) 246-2370 or e-mail for information about Lake Alert.