Fort Lauderdale (January 4, 2020) – The City of Fort Lauderdale has LIFTED the precautionary advisory for water-related recreational activities that has been in place for sections of the Tarpon River and New River since a 54-inch sewer main break occurred in the Rio Vista neighborhood in December.

The advisory is being lifted following two consecutive days of passing water quality test results at all locations sampled in the Tarpon River and New River. To view the test results, please visit http://bit.ly/2SHNN5V. Swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, boating, and other water-related recreational activities may be resumed in the Tarpon River and New River.

The precautionary advisory for water-related recreational activities will REMAIN IN EFFECT for the Himmarshee Canal. The Himmarshee Canal is generally bounded by: Broward Boulevard to the north; the New River to the south; South Federal Highway to the west; and Tarpon Drive to the east (see area shaded in yellow on the map below). Water-related activities including swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and canoeing should be avoided in the Himmarshee Canal.

The precautionary advisory for the Himmarshee Canal will remain in effect until further notice.

For more information, please contact the City of Fort Lauderdale 24-hour Neighbor Call Center at 954-828-8000 or visit http://bit.ly/35l0DuC.

NE 5 Street and NE 16 Avenue in Victoria Park

-Crews from Cliff Berry, Inc. (CBI) conducted cleanup activities in the affected area.

-Crews are scheduled to mobilize on Monday, January 6 to replace the entire length of the 16-inch pipe, which runs primarily along NE 5 Street, starting at 625 NE 19 Avenue and ending at 1011 NE 5 Street.

Rio Vista Neighborhood (Virginia Young Park and Hector Park Areas)

-Crews from Cliff Berry, Inc. (CBI) conducted cleanup and remediation work where needed in areas around Virginia Young Park and Hector Park.

-Stormwater crews remain on standby to address any drainage or tidal valve issues.

-Virginia Young Park and Hector Park will remain closed to the public while restoration work continues.

Environmental Activities

-Aeration operations will be demobilized in the Tarpon River and New River following two consecutive days of passing water quality test results. Aerators will continue to operate in the Himmarshee Canal.

-Results from air quality testing conducted by GHD on December 23, 2019 may be viewed online at http://bit.ly/2MP2Rey.

Road Closures in Rio Vista

-Roads in the immediate vicinity of Virginia Young Park remain closed including portions of SE 10 Street and South Rio Vista Boulevard east of SE 9 Avenue, as well as SE 9 Avenue from south of the intersection at SE 8 Street to Ponce de Leon Drive.

-There is no access east of SE 9 Avenue at the intersections of SE 9 Street, SE 10 Street, South Rio Vista Boulevard, and the north side of Ponce de Leon Drive.

-To view a map of the road closures, please visit http://bit.ly/34W91Q6.

Safety Tips

-Neighbors in the affected areas are reminded to avoid contact with any standing water.

-If contact is made, please remember to follow proper hygiene procedures. Wash your hands with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after contact with wastewater, especially before preparing or eating food.

-Be sure to keep all children and pets away from any area affected by the wastewater spill that has not been remediated.

-Keep a container or spray bottle outside residential entryways with a 90/10 solution (90% water to 10% household bleach) to clean shoes and other items that may have come into contact with wastewater.

-To view a safety tips flyer, please visit http://bit.ly/2sUvr73.