Fort Lauderdale residents and visitors received good news as city officials have removed a precautionary waterway advisory affecting a segment of the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Sunrise Boulevard. This lift was announced after a sewer overflow triggered the advisory earlier in the month. According to the City of Fort Lauderdale, the region, demarcated by E Sunrise Boulevard to the north, Riomar Street to the south, Intracoastal Drive to the west, and Bayshore Drive to the east, is now deemed safe for various water-recreational uses.
The advisory, initially put in place on June 12 following an incident near 2901 Vistamar Street, urged the public to avoid contact with the water as there may have been pollutants, the cleanup efforts have since concluded with the waterway meeting the State's quality benchmarks, water samples have been collected and the tests have determined that the levels are within healthy boundaries, as a result, the ban on swimming, fishing, and other aquatic activities has been lifted which means residents and tourists can once again enjoy the natural resources provided by these waterways without concern for their health.
In a document released by the city, the waters are now confirmed to align with state surface water quality standards, allowing recreational endeavors like swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing to resume. The announcement comes as a relief to many in the City of Fort Lauderdale area, who frequently engage in the aforementioned activities throughout the intracoastal waterway.
The City of Fort Lauderdale also encourages citizens to remain informed about such incidents in the future by registering for Alert FTL, the free emergency alert system by which the city can swiftly communicate urgent information via phone, text, or email, residents can sign up for these updates at the Fort Lauderdale official website, this proactive move also comes with a responsibility on residents to keep abreout of such situations learning from the recent occurrence that nature and civilization are always at odds, requiring constant vigilance.
For further inquiries or concerns regarding water safety and quality, the City's Customer Service Center can be reached by calling 954-828-8000 or emailing [email protected]. This re-opening marks a timely development with summer in full swing, signaling a return to normalcy and the enjoyment of the Intracoastal Waterway's full splendor.
