Water quality is a top priority for my campaign.

The City has let our systems age and has received numerous violations, consent orders and fines for their management of our water systems. In recent years, citizens have become concerned about declining water quality. As a result, the City Commission hired a consultant to evaluate the water plants and make recommendations for water quality improvement.

Our waste water plants are so bad that the city had to call Veolia, a company who is hired for the most difficult environmental and infrastructure challenges. Veolia was the same company hired in Flint, Michigan when the government made their mistakes and caused so much chaos with the water supply. In 2014, City, State, and Federal government officials caused the tragedy that occurred in Flint, Michigan when they decided to change the city’s water source to save money at the expense of the health and well-being of Flint’s citizens.

Now the Winter Springs City Commission has approved the expenditure of $100 Million over the next 10-20 Year as an investment into our wastewater issues. Will this be a solution to the fish kills, irrigation, wastewater out of compliance issues, breaking down facilities, etc.?

It’s a matter of caring for our environment and for our own health. There are a lot of good reasons why keeping our water clean is an important priority:

FISHERIES: Clean water is critical to plants and animals that live in water. This is important to the fishing industry, sport fishing enthusiasts, and future generations.

WILDLIFE HABITATS: Our rivers and ocean waters teem with life that depends on shoreline, beaches and marshes. They are critical habitats for hundreds of species of fish and other aquatic life. Migratory water birds use the areas for resting and feeding.

RECREATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE: Water is a great playground  for us all. The scenic and recreational values of our waters are reasons many people choose to live where they do. Visitors are drawn to water activities such as swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking.

HEALTH CONCERNS: If it is not properly cleaned, water can carry disease. Since we live, work and play so close to water, harmful bacteria have to be removed to make water safe.

I have a vision for what our hometown can be, and the experience to preserve what makes Winter Springs a great place to live. Please support me, Victoria Colangelo to be your next Commissioner, let’s discuss how our community can grow together.