Lake Orienta closed to swimming, fishing after sewage leak

Article Courtesy of Channel 13 News

By Jeff Allen

Published March 21, 2016

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS -- A Seminole County lake remains off-limits for fishing and swimming after sewage spilled into it over the weekend when a manhole at a nearby living complex leaked.

Environmental officials continue to investigate how much sewage spilled into Lake Orienta on Saturday after the system backed up at the Royal Arms Condominiums complex in Altamonte Springs.

Eliza Partida's family lives on the lake, and she enjoys tubing. Right now, however, she said she'll pass on any water adventures.

"Not until I hear 100 percent the water's clean, it's good and there's nothing wrong with it," Partida said.

The community association manager at the condominium complex on Wednesday said the sewage system got backed up Saturday because of built-up grease in the system. The manager blamed the blockage on residents pouring too much cooking grease down their drains.

Environmental officials continue to investigate how much sewage spilled into Lake Orienta on Saturday after the system backed up at the Royal Arms Condominiums complex in Altamonte Springs.

Environmental officials said the backup in the complex's private sewage system caused the sewage to leak out of a manhole that's in Lake Orienta.

"We can't really avoid it now, and it's kind of gross," Partida said.

Red signs are now posted along the lake, including at one gate to a dock near the Partida family's home.

Altamonte Springs officials also sent letters to everyone who lives along the lake to warn them not to fish, wade or swim in the water until further notice.

"It's a pretty gross situation," Partida said. "But I hope it gets resolved quickly."

Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials said water tests since Saturday's leak show high levels of bacteria that can be harmful.

The complex representative said the problem is fixed. DEP officials said once it confirms the problem is fixed, they will evaluate the long-term effect on the leak. The complex could face fines, officials said.