ORLANDO, Fla. – A homeowner in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood reached out to News 6 Thursday to try to get answers after crews working to install fiber optic cables in his neighborhood burst a water pipe, leaving him without running water.
“Now we’ve got this pool that’s running through Las Flores here,” said Scott Feranec, as he stood with a News 6 crew outside his house on Las Flores Way.
As crews with the Orlando Utilities Commission worked to repair the damage to the water line, Feranec explained to News 6’s Mike Valente what compelled him to call us.
“We had no communication from anybody,” Feranec said, referring to AT&T, the telecommunication company responsible for installing the fiber optic cables Thursday.
Feranec said he was given no advanced notice about the work.
“Come on guys,” Feranec said. “Do better.”
Valente spoke with a supervisor for the sub-contractor retained to install the cables underground. The supervisor confirmed that they were working on behalf of AT&T and he said that crews make sure to put notices on peoples’ front doors ahead of the installation.
“I’ve never seen that door tag in my life,” Feranec said, when Valente showed him a picture of one such notice. “No.”
Feranec said he was irritated that he feels kept in the dark.
Late Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson with AT&T told News 6 that the contractor did put signs in the neighborhood to notify residents about the work in the area. The spokesperson also sent this statement:
“We apologize to residents affected by the water line damage that occurred earlier today. As soon as our contractor was aware of the issue, the local utility provider was notified so that repairs could begin as soon as possible. As we work to bring high-speed fiber to more communities, we remain committed to minimizing disruptions for residents.”
Hours after News 6 left the neighborhood, Feranec said OUC crews were able to pinpoint the leak and fix the issue. His water turned back on Thursday.