ORLANDO, Fla. – Residents in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood were without water for hours after a second water line break occurred in less than two weeks, prompting questions about ongoing utility repairs in the area.
The latest break happened near Las Flores Way, where Orlando Utilities Commission crews returned to repair a damaged water line. Homeowner Scott Feranac said the repeated disruptions have become frustrating for residents.
“It’s becoming a nuisance, not just for me, but for my neighbors,” Feranac said.
According to Orlando Utilities Commission officials, subcontractors installing fiber-optic cables for AT&T struck the water line twice during construction work in May.
OUC said crews repaired the initial break but did not detect a second leak because it was a pinhole-sized opening that was too small to identify at the time. Officials said the leak worsened over the following two weeks, eventually causing the latest water main break.
Feranac said he is frustrated by the recurring repairs, which have required crews to repeatedly dig up his yard.
“I have to get a good laugh out of it, but what’s frustrating is all the cleanup that’s going to have to occur,” he said.
OUC crews worked to restore service and repair the damaged line.
AT&T previously apologized to residents following the first water line damage in May. After News 6 shared OUC’s findings that a pinhole leak had worsened since the initial repair, AT&T issued an updated statement apologizing again for the damage caused by the water line break.
Feranac said he hopes the company will take responsibility for restoring affected properties and improving communication with residents.
“Hopefully they can re-beautify my yard, at the very least,” he said. “I just don’t think the transparency has been there from the start of these projects.”