The Rise & Fall of the Lake Jesup Water Treatment Facility

The Rise & Fall of the Lake Jesup Water Treatment Facility

In 2012, Winter Springs finished construction of the Lake Jesup Augmentation Facility. The plant would draw water from Lake Jesup and filter it to supplement Reclaimed water for the City of Winter Springs, to keep up with the increase of development.

However, the TOXIC Algae Bloom in Lake Jesup hindered this concept!!! The Lake Jesup water plant filters were continuously clogged by the toxic algae. In fact, the entire State of Florida has not yet found a solution to remove the excess nutrients of phosphorus and nitrogen. The main culprit is Fertilizer, Sewage being put in the Lakes, and Surrounding Septic tanks.

Fixing harmful algae blooms requires correcting the underlying problems that led to their growth in the first place. Because the toxins in algae blooms can spread rapidly.

The St. Johns River Water Management District has launched a pilot program which was implemented in August 2021 to harvest and remove algae, suspended solids and associated nutrients from Lake Jesup’s waters.

A harvesting unit mounted on a barge will be transported around Lake Jesup so that algae can be harvested at various locations. An innovative dissolved air flotation technology will be used to attach microscopic air bubbles to algae and suspended sediment, allowing efficient separation of algal biomass and clarified water. Clarified water will return to the lake while algal biomass will be managed/treated at Seminole County’s Yankee Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Are you Utilizing Drinking Water for Irrigation???

The majority of Winter Springs Neighborhoods like Tuskawilla Crossing, Oak Forest, etc… are currently utilizing Potable Water (From the Aquifer) to irrigate their land. Currently the City has plans to can provide adequate reclaimed water to meet the needs of the development through piping which is included in the new $100 million dollar Wastewater Improvements.

Other neighboring properties, have older infrastructure that needs to be replaced or fixed, as some areas of Oak Forest do not have any access to Reclaimed Water!!!

It is the City of Winter Spring’s responsibility to provide this infrastructure to our residents.

https://www.winterspringsfl.org/publicworks/page/lake-jesup-reclamation-plant

Wastewater Treatment Process

Wastewater Treatment Process

𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 for raw water (black), potable water (blue), waste water (red), recycled water (purple) and storm water (grey).

The environment has an incredible ability to deal with small amounts of pollution and waste in water, but it cannot cope when dealing with an overwhelming amount of waste. 

80% of the world’s wastewater, mostly untreated, is released into the environment. 

That is why treatment of wastewater is crucial for humans and the environment.

CH 9 Investigates City’s Misinformation Campaign

CH 9 Investigates City’s Misinformation Campaign

CH 9 INVESTIGATES the City of Winter Springs’ Taxpayer-funded misinformation campaign

Last night WFTV (Channel 9) investigated the “murky marketing campaign” the city of Winter Springs is using to target residents with misinformation about the Consent Order issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for issues with our water system.

CLICK TO WATCH the Investigative Report >>

More information:

  1. View a TIMELINE of DEP violations and read official state documents

  2. Join the Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative on Facebook

Winter Springs Crime Rate

Winter Springs Crime Rate

Once ranked as the #4 safest city in Florida, Winter Springs has dropped to 12 spots to #16, according to safewise.com. Our neighbors in Oviedo dropped one spot to #7. 

With all of the fast development and multiple changes in leadership at the police department, we saw our local community ranking drop. In 2009, Kevin Brunelle was appointed as the Chief of Police and he held that role until 2019 when he retired. Since then, our city has had two different police chiefs the last three years including Chris Deisler and current police chief Matt Tracht. Deisler took over after Brunelle retired, only to unretire and be hired as the police chief in Woodland Park, Colorado earlier this year. Tracht took over following Deisler’s retirement.

The drop in our safest city ranking comes with an increase in development and most certainly the inconsistency in leadership from our police department under this City Commission and City Manager.  Current Chief of Police Tracht recently spoke on the crime in Winter Springs citing the pandemic as a main factor  “we saw a rise in our crime rates in 2020 with larcenies and assaults, most likely, probably due to the pandemic. People were at home, unemployed and didn’t know what to expect. They were probably doing things that they probably shouldn’t have been doing.”

While it is hard to argue that the pandemic had an impact on crime rates, we also believe the rapid development of our small community along with the inconsistency of having three different Police Chief’s since 2019.  

I must say, our current Chief of Police Matt Tracht has made some huge progress in a short amount of time.  I am very excited about the things he is doing and very grateful for his work. 

I remain committed to collaboratively and enthusiastically representing this city with dignity and class to help Winter Springs return as one of the top #10 safest cities in Florida. 

I strive to amplify solutions facing where we live by featuring residents like you, along with the change makers and thought leaders to support our fellow residents and people visiting and working in our area.

Thank you for supporting my campaign.

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Former Winter Springs City Commissioner, Joanne M. Krebs, Endorses Victoria Colangelo

Former Winter Springs City Commissioner, Joanne M. Krebs, Endorses Victoria Colangelo

Joanne M. Krebs

Former Winter Springs City Commission, Deputy Mayor 

Term: 2004-2016

I am pleased to endorse Victoria Colangelo for Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2.

Over these past months and weeks, I have taken the opportunity to evaluate and observe the agendas and views of the candidates for the upcoming Winter Springs Commission District 2 election.

Victoria, your honest, sensible, and valuable insight into Winter Springs problems and NEEDS, plus your commitment to listen and research the issues gives me great confidence in your candidacy.  Your background in business and investment in our community leads me to believe you will be an asset to the Winter Springs Commission.

  • Committed – Victoria is COMMITTED to the residents of this community to help bring needed change. 
  • Hears – Victoria has HEARD the cries of the citizens to help with our water problems
  • Listens – Victoria has LISTENED to the community about Water, Development, and Crime issues.

I am committing my allegiance and support for you and your campaign.  It is my intention to vote for you.  I believe in your abilities and competence.

  • Former Tri-County League of Cities President
  • Elected Official of the Year, 2016 – Tri-County League of Cities
  • Code and Planning & Zoning Committee
  • Districting Committee