October 5, 2026
CITY OF ORLANDO - LAKE ALERT for Lake Lawne
To address citizen concerns related to water quality, the City of Orlando's Streets and Stormwater Division has developed a Lake Alert public information system to provide seasonal and localized warnings for City of Orlando lakes. An announcement has been provided below regarding the lake(s) where water quality has been a concern.
The City of Orlando is issuing a Lake Alert for Lake Lawne due to a sanitary sewage overflow.
Location: 1488 Mercy Drive
Cause: An estimated 1,000 gallons or greater of sanitary waste entered into the stormdrain system and impacted Lake Lawne. The discharge was attributed to a blockage caused by an accumulation of fats and oils within the property’s sanitary sewer system.
City Response: On October 5, 2026, the City of Orlando was notified about the sanitary sewage overflow. The property owner contracted a private environmental contractor to stop the overflow, clean and sanitize the impacted areas.
The City of Orlando advises that water contact activities, including irrigation, associated with Lake Lawne cease until further notice.
City personnel will place warning signs at the Barnett Park Boat Ramp and begin collecting water samples on a routine basis to test the E. coli counts. Once E. coli counts meet acceptable State Water Quality Standards, we will remove the warning and share this update on our Lake Alert Hotline number (407.246.2220) and our Lake Alert website
Please continue to check our website or call the Lake Alert Hotline for the most up-to-date information regarding your lake. Learn more about sewage overflows on our website.
For more information regarding the sewer discharge, please contact Catherine Johnson, Water Reclamation Division Environmental Supervisor, at catherine.johnson@orlando.gov.
For water quality questions, please contact Lisa Lotti, Stormwater Compliance Program Manager, at lisa.lotti@orlando.gov.