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Winter Springs, FL Wastewater plant
Winter Springs Wastewater Plant from victoriaforwintersprings.com

Over the last few years, the city of Winter Springs has acknowledged the wastewater infrastructure is old and failing. With a proposal of updating the plants and infrastructure we need to hold the interim city manager and dais accountable to keep things moving forward.


Wastewater infrastructure is vital for the health and sustainability of any city, playing a crucial role in managing and treating sewage from homes, businesses, and industries. However, as cities grow and infrastructure ages, problems can arise that, if left unaddressed, can lead to significant public health and environmental issues. Identifying the signs of failing wastewater infrastructure can help city officials and residents take proactive measures to address and rectify these issues before they escalate. While Winter Springs is past the point of escalation, here are some key indicators that a city's wastewater infrastructure may be failing and will help us keep a watchful eye for additional problems as well as understand the signs of future failures once we have finally updated our infrastructure.


1. Frequent Sewer Overflows

flooded yard full of raw sewage in Winter Springs.
Over 12,000 gallons of raw sewage dumped in my own yard and ran into Howell Creek as a result of a failure of city pump.

One of the most alarming signs of failing wastewater infrastructure is the frequent occurrence of sewer overflows. These events happen when the sewer system becomes overwhelmed, typically due to heavy rainfall, blockages, or system failures, causing untreated sewage to spill into streets, rivers, and other bodies of water. This can pose significant health risks and environmental damage.

2. Water Quality Issues

Declining water quality in local rivers, lakes, and coastal areas is a strong indicator of problems within the wastewater system. Contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, and phosphates from untreated or partially treated sewage can lead to water pollution, harming aquatic life and posing risks to human health.

3. Increased Reports of Waterborne Illnesses

A rise in waterborne illnesses, such as gastrointestinal infections, in the community can signal that the wastewater treatment processes are failing. Contaminated water sources can lead to outbreaks of diseases, affecting the health of residents, especially in areas where water treatment facilities are compromised.

4. Persistent Foul Odors

If large areas of the city, particularly near wastewater treatment plants or along sewer lines, experience persistent foul odors, this could indicate leaks, overflows, or inadequate treatment of sewage. These smells are not just unpleasant but can also signify serious underlying problems in the wastewater system.

street washout from infrastructure failure
Corner of Shore and Alton. Photo by Michele Tucker, resident of Winter Springs.

5. Flooding and Sinkholes

Frequent flooding, especially during periods of heavy rain, and the appearance of sinkholes can be indicative of compromised wastewater infrastructure. Flooding can occur when sewer systems are unable to handle excess water, while sinkholes can result from soil erosion caused by leaking sewer pipes.

6. Aging Infrastructure

Many cities rely on aging infrastructure that may be well past its intended lifespan. Pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities that are decades old are more prone to failure. Cracks, corrosion, and collapses in old sewer lines can lead to significant problems if not regularly inspected and maintained.

7. Inefficient Treatment Facilities

fish die off from wastewater spill of "treated water"
Quote from a resident after 2021 Highlands spill.

Outdated or undersized wastewater treatment facilities that struggle to meet the needs of a growing population can lead to inadequate treatment of sewage. This results in the discharge of partially treated or untreated wastewater into the environment, violating regulatory standards and endangering public health.

8. Budget Shortfalls and Delayed Maintenance

Financial constraints that lead to budget shortfalls and delayed maintenance can exacerbate problems within the wastewater infrastructure. Deferred maintenance can cause minor issues to become major failures, and lack of investment in upgrades and replacements can leave the system vulnerable to breakdowns.

9. Increased Complaints from Residents

A rise in complaints from residents about sewer backups, water quality issues, and foul odors can be a clear sign of underlying problems in the wastewater infrastructure. Monitoring and addressing these complaints promptly can help city officials identify and rectify issues before they worsen.

Florida Department of Enviromental Protect to the City of Winter Springs
Letter Sent to Winter Springs Following a Spill

10. Regulatory Non-Compliance

Cities are required to comply with environmental regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge. If a city frequently fails to meet these standards, it can indicate systemic issues within the wastewater infrastructure. Regulatory violations can lead to fines, legal actions, and a loss of public trust.


What Cities Can Do to Address Failing Wastewater Infrastructure

Winter Springs seems to want to move forward and is doing so in some areas with fixing issues as they arise and planning for the future, but some of our spending is also misdirected in my personal opinion. To address and prevent the failure of wastewater infrastructure, here are some things Winter Springs can do to take proactive measures:

  1. Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Implement a rigorous schedule for inspecting and maintaining sewer lines, treatment plants, and related infrastructure to catch and address issues early.

  2. Investment in Upgrades: Allocate funds for the modernization and expansion of wastewater treatment facilities to ensure they can handle current and future demands.

  3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate residents about proper disposal practices and the importance of maintaining private sewer connections to reduce the burden on public systems.

  4. Green Infrastructure: Invest in green infrastructure solutions, such as permeable pavements and green roofs, to manage storm water and reduce the load on sewer systems.

  5. Emergency Response Plans: Develop and regularly update emergency response plans for sewer overflows and other infrastructure failures to minimize impact and ensure swift action.


By recognizing the signs of failing wastewater infrastructure and taking proactive measures, perhaps we as residents along with the city management can protect public health, preserve environmental quality, and ensure a sustainable future for their communities.


Ways Winter Springs Can Fund the Water Projects





  • Water rates and surcharges.

  • Municipal bonds.

  • Private capital.


Many cities surrounding Winter Springs are also at this pivotal point where their infrastructure is also failing. What are they doing to rectify and fund the fixes/upgrades?


I'd love to hear any experiences you have with water or wastewater (good or bad) in Winter Springs.


Sarah


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Last summer, I met with the owner of Decision Tactical, Remo Eyal, and learned a bit about what he was bringing to Sanford. Decision Tactical, he described as “edutainment”.  For police it’s necessary reality-based training with unlimited scenarios. For the public, it’s education, but presented in a fun and practical way. I was so impressed by what his vision was for the community that I recently decided to reach out and ask him if he had been in contact with anyone from Winter Springs to see if our police department would be interested in training. I asked because I thought if they had not done the training, it may be something I could advocate for them to do once elected for Winter Springs Commission. I was delighted to hear that they had already scheduled training and I asked if I might be able to swing by one day now that they were open.

Winter Springs Police at Decision Tactical

When I arrived at Decision Tactical, I was excited to see that the parking lot was filled with Winter Springs police cars. Not only were they already active in the simulation training, but I spotted the Chief of Police, Matt Tracht, and asked if he and Remo would mind telling me a little bit about what the goals of training were and how it can improve the work they do for the community. Our officers do so much, and this seemed like an incredible opportunity to tell you how Decision Tactical is bridging the divide and helping not just Winter Springs police, but police from all around to go above and beyond.  Not to mention, I was thrilled to learn that Chief Tracht saw the value that I had seen too when I first met Remo a year ago!


Winter Springs Chief Tracht, Sarah Baker, and Owner/Founder Remo Eyal

When I asked Remo what his vision was in creating the concept of Decision Tactical, he explained that while SWAT gets a tremendous amount of training, most other officers get relatively little training.  Their training usually consists of classwork and shooting ranges with perfect lighting and unmoving targets.  The officers want more, but budget constraints make it hard. By taking some technology and putting it together with scenario-based simulations, it takes the burden off the budget and allows repeatable training over time.  “Saving lives and bridging divides.”


When officers are saving lives and making less mistakes, the community has more trust in the officers.  And on the flip side, when the public has the ability to come in and do these simulations for “fun” it gives all of us the opportunity to walk in the shoes of these officers and see how quickly things can go wrong.  People will feel the stress, that they had blind spots, or a person drew a gun faster than they anticipated, and they will come out with a deeper understanding.  “99% of police contacts around the world are good

Four Winter Springs Officers Awaiting Training

contacts, it’s that 1% that you have to train for.  That 1% that can go bad quick. That’s why you have to challenge these officers and put them through the harshest of training in an environment like this so it’s muscle memory when they get to the real situations.” Explained Chief Tracht. “So, we’re here today to build up the mental mindset, strategize, expose them to different things. You always have to challenge training. If training becomes stagnant, then officers get bored.”   The scenarios currently offered in training are a home, a mall, and a café/street.  Each scenario can have a variety of different story lines, so that each time the training is done, the experience is new.


As part of the officer training at Decision Tactical, in the scenario rooms trainers are on hand

Trainer in the Home Scenerio Room

to observe the officers in real time as they go through the scenario and then they can offer feedback and repeat the exercise utilizing that new knowledge.  I stood on a catwalk over the home scenario while the officers were tasked with securing the rooms.  This storyline that I observed didn’t have any people or pets in the home, but evidence was strewn throughout the apartment.  The next time they enter that same apartment, there could be a domestic violence dispute, a home invasion, or many other storyline options.   

Departments have Large Plaques Displayed in Decision Tactical After Signing up for Training

Decision Tactical Founder, Remo added “We developed a technology where we can introduce a live character on the screen that is a real person from another room, so we can have full verbal interaction and work on de-escalation tactics, as it could be a mentally ill person, an autistic person, etc. It takes out that video game feel when you don’t know which characters are live actors and which are simulation.”  Officers walk into very real simulated experiences and assess the situation and determine what is a threat and what is not.  When you go, you get to do the same thing; putting yourself in adrenaline inducing, fight or flight, fast thinking scenarios, helps everyone walk in each other’s shoes. Bridging the divide.


Chief Tracht summed up why he chose to do this style of immersive simulation training with his department at Decision Tactical, “You train for the unknown. One day it’s going to happen, you are going to get challenged. You don’t want that to be the first time you experience that type of situation.”


I’m really glad that Decision Tactical came to our area and can bring such valuable training to the police departments, not just Winter Springs, but all-around Central Florida and beyond.  Decision Tactical isn’t just for police training, you can go with friends, family, coworkers, etc.  They have a ton of options for the public with different simulations as well as a great restaurant and a full bar.  decisiontactical.com


Sarah

Decision Tactical is Located in Sanford Near the Mall

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Photo of Shore Road after Hurricane Ian, courtesy of Joanne and Bill Plum.

As we enter another hurricane season, the residents of Winter Springs need to brace themselves for what could be a particularly strong series of storms. Understanding the factors contributing to this forecast and taking proactive steps to prepare can significantly mitigate the impact on lives and property. Let's delve into why this season might be severe and how to get ready.





Why This Hurricane Season Could Be Strong

  1. Warm Ocean Waters: One of the primary drivers of hurricane intensity is the temperature of ocean water. Hurricanes draw their energy from warm sea surfaces, and this year, sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are above average. Warmer waters can lead to more frequent and intense storms, as they provide the energy needed for hurricanes to form and strengthen.

  2. La Niña Conditions: The presence of La Niña, a climate pattern characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, can influence hurricane activity. La Niña tends to reduce wind shear over the Atlantic, which can allow hurricanes to develop and intensify more easily. This season, La Niña conditions are expected to persist, potentially leading to a more active hurricane season.

  3. Climatic Trends: Climate change is contributing to more extreme weather patterns globally. In recent years, the Atlantic has seen an increase in the number of high-intensity hurricanes. This trend is likely to continue, making it essential for residents to be prepared for stronger storms.

  4. Historical Patterns: Historical data suggests that certain periods are more prone to intense hurricane activity due to cyclical climatic patterns. Central Florida, with its geographical location, is particularly vulnerable during these peak periods. Understanding these patterns can help in anticipating and preparing for possible hurricanes.


How to Prepare in Advance

  1. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a detailed emergency plan for your family. This should include evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication strategies. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan and practices it regularly.

  2. Assemble an Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit that includes essential supplies such as water, non-perishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. Ensure you have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours, but with Ian still in recent memory, a week of supplies can prove beneficial.

  3. Strengthen Your Home: Invest in measures to protect your home from hurricane damage. This can include installing storm shutters, reinforcing garage doors, and securing loose outdoor items. Trim trees and remove dead branches to reduce the risk of debris causing damage.

  4. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest weather forecasts and warnings from reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center and local authorities. Sign up for emergency alerts to receive real-time information about impending storms.

  5. Insurance Review: Review your homeowners' insurance policy to ensure it covers hurricane damage. Consider purchasing additional flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area, as standard homeowners' insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage.

  6. Backup Power Solutions: Power outages are common during hurricanes. Consider investing in a generator or backup power source to keep essential appliances running, such as refrigerators and medical devices.

  7. Community Preparedness: Engage with your community to develop a neighborhood response plan. This can include identifying vulnerable neighbors who may need assistance and coordinating resources to ensure everyone is prepared.

  8. Evacuation Readiness: Know your local evacuation routes and have a plan for where you will go if you need to evacuate. Ensure your vehicle is in good working order and keep the gas tank full during hurricane season.


Stay Safe!

While the forecast for a strong hurricane season in Central Florida can be concerning, being well-prepared can make all the difference. By understanding the factors contributing to this year's potential for intense storms and taking proactive measures to protect your home and family, you can navigate the season with greater confidence and resilience. Stay informed, stay prepared, stay in touch with your neighbors, and stay safe!


Sarah


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