A precautionary advisory was issued Thursday to avoid water-related recreational activities in the Middle River and Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale following two sewer main breaks.
The 42-inch sewer main break happened in the 1100 block of Bayview Drive in the parking lot of George English Park, city officials said. That break has been capped, but the one located at 10th avenue is still flowing. Officials say that one will be harder to cap since it is underwater.
City employees did say that drinking water is not affected at this time.
The precautionary advisory remains in effect for at least the next 48 hours, saying it takes 24 hours to get results and know how much raw sewage got into the water.
Crews continue working to repair the break and traffic in the area was being diverted. Bayview Drive was reopened to traffic Friday morning after the city was able to isolate the break.
Officials said swimming, fishing, jet skiing and other water-related activities should be avoided in the Middle River, Rio Barcelona, Intracoastal Waterway and Northern Las Olas Isles water bodies. George English Lake was closed, Himmarshee Canal was closed to vessel navigation and all public boat launches operated by the city are closed.
The area affected is from Northwest/Northeast 38th Street to I-595 and from I-95 to the Intracoastal.
Brent Wysocki's business depends on customers at the park renting his jet skis, but the closed ramps mean a tough weekend is ahead.
"We do good business over there and we'll probably be shut down for a few days," he said.
