Health dept. warning about wastewater spill

Wastewater spill may impact local canals

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County issued an advisory to residents near the Smith Canal corridor to the St. John's River in the Sanford area.

Officials said a reported sewage spill occurred in canals and storm water culverts in the area north of Andre Court west of Hickman Drive and west of Smith Canal to Interstate 4.

Recommended Videos



"Until further information is known regarding this contamination, residents are urged to take precaution in these areas and avoid these waterways," said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer of the Department of Health in Seminole County.

The areas affected are not normally used for recreational water activities, officials said.

Water contaminated by wastewater overflow presents several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastro-intestinal and other diseases, officials said.

Anyone who comes in contact with the water should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease so every precaution should be taken if in contact with contaminated water, officials said.

Stay with Local 6 for more on this story.


Recommended Videos