Fort Lauderdale officials have issued an advisory for residents and visitors to temporarily avoid water-related activities in parts of the Seminole River Canal and the Intracoastal Waterway. According to the City of Fort Lauderdale's announcement, the advisory comes after a wastewater discharge was caused by a grease blockage in an 8-inch sewer gravity main, leading to potential health risks for individuals in the vicinity.
The exact boundaries of the impacted area include SE 15th Street to the north, SE 17th Street to the south, Cordova Road to the west, and the Intracoastal Waterway to the east. The city has strongly recommended that people refrain from swimming, fishing, and other aquatic recreational pursuits within the outlined zone to prevent potentially coming into contact with contaminated water. In order to quickly assess the situation, officials have begun to daily conduct water sampling.
The City of Fort Lauderdale's website indicates that the precautionary advisory will remain in place until satisfactory test results confirm that the water is safe for public use. The city has made available various channels for individuals seeking additional information, including a customer service center phone number and an email address, as well as a dedicated mobile app and a webpage for service requests.
Staying ahead of emergencies is a priority for the city. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert FTL. This free emergency alert service promises to quickly communicate critical information through phone, text, or email. Interested parties can register for this service at the City of Fort Lauderdale's official website.
