ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando has issued a Lake Alert for Lake Mann following a sanitary sewer overflow.
The water quality warning stems from an incident that occurred on March 25 at 3206 Orange Center Blvd.
According to city officials, about 100 gallons of sewage entered the stormwater system due to a blockage in the public sanitary line. City crews cleared the blockage and removed 300 gallons of stormwater and sewage from the system.
As a precaution, the city of Orlando advised residents to cease all water contact activities, including irrigation, associated with Lake Mann until further notice.
City personnel will place warning signs around the lake and will begin routine water sampling to test E. coli levels.
Once these levels meet acceptable State Water Quality Standards, the city said it will lift the warning and provide updates through the Lake Alert Hotline at 407-246-2220 and the City’s Lake Alert website.
Longtime visitor Jake Canty, who is moving back to the neighborhood this week, expressed disappointment.
“I come out here, this is my place of peace, my place of serenity,” Canty said. “I was really looking forward to coming and putting my boat back in the lake. But for me to come here and see this sign, that’s pretty concerning.”
Other visitors were unaware of the warning. William White, who was at the lake with his family Monday, said they had planned to barbecue and possibly fish.
“It’s a great lake,” White said.
When informed of the spill, White supported the city’s caution.
“You got to clean up the ways and keep our world green and blue,” he said. “So it’s not a bad idea to keep people out of the water.”
Residents are encouraged to check the City of Orlando’s website or call the Lake Alert Hotline for the latest information regarding Lake Mann.
