QuarterlyStreets & Streams

ISSUE 1 • VOLUME 2 • SPRING 2013

CLOCKING IN, Page 1

CLOCKING IN by Clary Powell clary.powell@cityoforlando.net

“Our mission is to provide timely, accurate, and useful information to employees and citizens of the City of Orlando”

IN THIS EDITION CLOCKING IN P1 BUBBLING LAKES P2 NEW T.V. INSPECTION TRUCK ARRIVES P2 DID YOU KNOW? P2 LAKE EMERALD PUMP REFURBISHED P3 PAWS IN THE PARK - STOP POO-LLUTION! P3 EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER P3 TAKE ACTION P3 GROWING GREEN AND STAYING GREEN P4

Jennifer Ramos and Steven Hollingsed clock in at 6:30 a.m. every weekday morning at the City of Orlando Streets and Stormwater Division ready to fulfill their roles as Environmental Specialists. Each have slightly different projects they manage but they often work together as a team to determine the health of each lake in the City of Orlando. Today they are sampling Buck Lake and Red Lake.

Before the work can begin there is much to prepare. Jennifer and Steven check their equipment, wash collection bottles, organize paperwork and then load up the truck and boat. Sunscreen and bug spray are lifesavers in this line of work and always make the equipment list! When they arrive at their first lake, the shoreline and launch area is overrun

with water-hyacinth, an invasive species. This aquatic weed is so dense it makes it difficult to launch the boat.

Once on the water they settle into their routine. GPS coordinates lead them to their first sampling location on the lake. Jennifer dips the sonde (multi-parameter water quality instrument) into the water to measure physical parameters such as the pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and conductivity. She then moves on to the Secchi disk to measure turbidity and the Kestrel to check wind speed and air temperature. Steven collects water from the lake and pours it into individually marked bottles which will be delivered to the lab later in the day for analysis. Each of these bottles can be tested to determine phosphorus and nitrogen levels as well as the turbidity, fecal coliform presence, color and more. All of these variables help determine the overall health of the lake.

As birds call to each other across the lake and fly over above their heads, Jennifer and Steven both note that Buck Lake and Red Lake are among their favorites they sample. Jennifer explained further. “They’re just beautiful, you know why, because they’re hardly touched by human hands.” Every day citizens of Orlando contribute to lake pollution by over applying fertilizers and pesticides, leaving behind pet waste, and improperly disposing of trash and hazardous

materials. This pollution can be prevented and hopefully Jennifer and Steven will continue to see improvements in water quality around our City.

When not lake sampling Jennifer can be found investigating pollution discharges (such as grass clippings in the street and mop water from restaurants), performing erosion and sedimentation inspections, inputting water quality data into a City database, and expanding the City’s plant collection database for the Lake Vegetation Index. In addition to responding to pollution discharges, Steven also performs flow monitoring at Lake Fran (with Jennifer) and Lake Rowena. However, much of Steven’s time focuses on ensuring that our 70 remote water elevation stations and 12 rain gauges are operating and all associated data is properly stored.

NEW T.V. INSPECTION TRUCK ARRIVES by Howard Elkin howard.elkin@CityofOrlando.net

During the year I frequently get asked about the “springs” or “boils” that residents see in some of our lakes. These boils are just that, boils of compressed air from a lake aeration system. I have found an explanation from Vertex Water Systems that does a very good job of explaining just what a lake aeration system is and does for the lake.

“During the summer months, when water is warm, oxygen can be consumed faster than it can be replenished. Ponds and lakes can become “stratified”; the warmer, oxygen-rich upper water laying on top of the cool, more dense, lower-oxygen deeper water. This reduces habitat available for fish and beneficial bacteria, slowing the breakdown of organic matter at the bottom of the lake, and leading to muck buildup. Excess nutrients from the muck are made available for weed and algae growth while noxious ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gases cause odor problems.

Extreme pond or lake stratification also causes the pH to rise in the surface waters. Algae

species preferring high pH, still-water habitats tend to be unpalatable types that do not enter the fish food chain, or toxic algae that can make swimmers sick.

In the cooler months, stratified ponds and lakes can cause further problems when they suddenly de-stratify during wind and storm events. De-oxygenated

bottom waters laden with toxic gasses can suddenly rise to the surface, resulting in massive fish kills and/or odor problems. Nutrients trapped in the bottom waters may cause sudden algae blooms when released to the surface.

Aeration systems create a vertical current using the rising force of millions of small bubbles to entrain the water column, “turning the lake over” and allowing oxygen to be absorbed at the lake’s surface. By moving the lower-oxygen water up from the bottom and eliminating thermal stratification, oxygen levels increased. Wide swings in oxygen are stabilized, preventing fish kills. Lake aeration systems also improve sport fisheries by allowing fish to expand their territory into formerly oxygen-deprived portions of the lake while providing ideal habitat for organisms in the fish food chain.”

BUBBLING LAKES by John Evertsen john.evertsen@cityoforlando.net

The Streets and Stormwater Division recently purchased a new T.V. inspection truck. The truck has replaced the old one that was purchased in 2006. The new truck is a Ford E-450 High Cube Truck and was purchased from CUES Inc. It will have the latest CCTV inspection technology. With this technology, we are able to send a T.V. camera into a storm line, remotely control the camera from inside the truck and see what is happening inside the storm lines on a computer monitor. The video can then be saved on a disk and distributed to the appropriate personnel. Additionally, as the camera is moving up the pipe (can travel approx 1000’) the operator can note any defects verbally as well as visually which can also be provided.

By utilizing this new truck, the Streets and Stormwater personnel can immediately respond to work orders, see what repairs may be needed and the condition of the pipes. By pinpointing the exact location of a defect, we are able to excavate exactly at the correct location which will minimize the effects to the road above. Furthermore, if a pipe cannot be repaired or replaced due to the location, we have the option of lining the pipe. This work is completed by the City’s subcontractor and requires very minimal work above ground. Many times, someone will not ever be aware that the work is going on below them.

As we move into the future, the Streets and Stormwater Division will utilize this truck to be more proactive in finding illegal hookups, damaged pipe issues, and make the necessary repairs before there is ever anything noticeable on the top surface.

Did you Know? Lake Cherokee used to be called Lake Minnie??

JACOB JENKINS

LAKE EMERALD PUMP REFURBISHED by Terry Fluharty terry.fluharty@cityoforlando.net

As always the Streets and Storm Water Department is looking for ways to save the Citizens and the City of Orlando money. Lake Emerald’s Pump Station has been in need of a major upgrade. Pump Stations are crucial to maintaining safe water levels in lakes to prevent flooding. Essentially the pumps move water from one lake to another.

Several years ago a pump was removed from an obsolete pump station and brought to the yard for storage. When it became apparent that the Lake Emerald Pump Station was in need of this upgrade, the Streets and Storm Water Department decided to refurbish the stored pump instead of purchasing a new one. Program Manager, Rick Davis, and his maintenance support team refurbished an antiquated storm water conveyance pumping system consisting of a Gorman Rupp Pump T-6 and a twenty-five horse power electric motor and joined it with the fabrication of a new frame. The cost to refurbish this pump (parts and materials) was approximately $1,200.00 versus the cost of replacing it with new equipment which would be approximately $20,000 - $25,000. Kudos go out to Rick and his crew! Also, thanks to Martha Hoppes, one of Orlando’s long-term volunteers, for the prepping and painting of this equipment.

On Saturday, February 9th, thousands of pet owners and animal lovers attended SPCA’s Paws in the Park fundraising walk at Lake Eola. Keep Orlando Beautiful and the City of Orlando’s Streets and Stormwater Division participated by having an informational

booth. At the booth, volunteers handed out flyers on the importance of picking up after your pets. Along with the flyer, volunteers and staff handed out more than 500 pet waste bag dispensers. Since the dispensers easily clip on to a pet’s leash, this makes for an in hand, no excuse solution for owners to pick up the poo and help Stop the Poo-llution!

Left behind pet waste is illegal with fines up to $110. Un-scooped poop washes into storm drains, which drain directly to local lakes and water bodies, harming human health, wildlife and the environment.

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER

Field Supervisor, Jacob Jenkins has been with our Division since 1996. He was instrumental in the purchase of our new TV truck and is well-known by his co-workers for his willingness to tackle any task, reliability and good attitude. Although his primary focus is investigating blocks or issues in our stormwater pipes, he is also the man to call if you drop your keys in a stormdrain!

Take Action. Keep fertilizer out of the lake

by reducing your use!

PAWS IN THE PARK - STOP POO-LLUTION! by Jody Buyas jody.buyas@cityoforlando.net

Main Line: 407.246.2238Main Fax: 407.246.2241

LEAD STAFFLisa Henry, Division Manager407.246.3646

Howard Elkin, Streets Assistant Division Manager407.246.2260

KEEP ORLANDO BEAUTIFULJody Buyas, Keep Orlando Beautiful Coordinator407.246.2752

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRRick Davis, Maintenance Program Manager407.246.4968

LAKE MANAGEMENTJohn Evertsen, Surface Water Management, Program Manager407.246.2083

RIGHT OF WAY MANAGEMENTTerry Fluharty, Streets ROW Supervisor407.246.2494

STORMWATER UTILITY FEESAssad Kudera, Billing/Data Management407.246.2230

LAKE HEALTH & ENFORCEMENTLisa Lotti, Stormwater Compliance Program Manager407.246.2037

STORMWATER EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEERS Clary Powell, Public Awareness Specialist407.246.2257

SIDEWALK, POTHOLE AND BRICK STREET REPAIRCharles Smith, Streets Construction Program Manager407.246.2239

STORMWATER HOTLINE:407.246.2370

REPORT A PROBLEM ONLINE

POTHOLES: CityofOrlando.net/Public_Works/S&D/Potholes

GRAFFITI: CityofOrlando.net/Public_Works/Graffiti

“Our City’s technical staff not only works to meet the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, but continuously strives to exceed that requirement.”

-Mayor Buddy Dyer

1010 WOODS AVENUEORLANDO, FL 32805

GROWING GREEN AND STAYING GREEN! by Jennifer Ramos jennifer.ramos@cityoforlando.net

Fertilizing our lawns is a very common practice. When it is applied appropriately it can help maintain a beautiful landscape. When it is applied inappropriately it can severely damage our environment, our drinking water and eventually our oceans by accelerating the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. In Florida, fertilizer has become one of the leading polluting materials in our water. Just by following some simple guidelines we can protect the health of our lakes and drinking water. When purchasing fertilizer try to choose one with the phosphorus level at zero. You can find this number by looking at a set of three numbers on the bag. Follow directions on the bag, don’t just dump all of it on your yard. The best way to apply it is to apply small amounts at various times during the year than a lot of fertilizer in one or two applications. This will also decrease the

amount of irrigation the landscape will need and produce slow, steady growth instead of a large, quick growth spurt that can stress plants and attract harmful insects. To reduce leaching of the newly applied fertilizer, do not apply when rain is forecast and only irrigate with ¼” of water to wash the fertilizer off the leaf blades and ensure that the nutrients stay within the root zone. If fertilizer is accidentally spilled be sure to sweep it up so that it won’t be carried to our lakes by rain or irrigation and always remember to create a 10’ buffer zone between the application area and any water body. We would also like to inform you that Orange County has a “No fertilizer” blackout period ordinance that runs June 1st through September 30, which is our rainy season. The best time to apply fertilizer is when plants are actively growing so a light application before June 1 would do the trick for landscape ornamental plants and turf. Remember, we want our landscapes green but not our lakes.