The city of Orlando issued a water usage advisory on Sunday after a 36-inch water main break caused an overflow of sewage at multiple lift stations that service the city.
At approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, the water main broke and began impacting lift stations 1, 2, and 3. An overflow of sewage was reported into the surrounding lakes and streets, according to a statement from the city.
Residents are advised to avoid lakes, including contact with standing water or use of any watercrafts in the surrounding lakes and streets.
“All residents and businesses should severely limit water usage until further notice,” reads the statement. Usage includes refraining from flushing toilets, doing laundry, washing dishes, taking showers/baths, and using irrigation systems.
“Additional water usage will continue to put more pressure on systems already over capacity and lead to additional sewage overflows,” says the city.
Although treatment plants are still operational and producing reusable water, the volume of inflows from the collections system continues to overwhelm the treatment plants.
“It is critical for residents and businesses to decrease water usage in order for lift station operators to repair the system and pump out the increased water to divert the overflow to discharge areas,” reads the statement.