New treatment system will clean Butler Chain

Because of its classification as an Outstanding Florida Water in February 1987 by the Florida Legislature, the Butler Chain of Lakes can be a little high-maintenance.

This is why a study was conducted in 2007 to determine its water quality and assess the highest areas of pollution. The study discovered that the most troublesome area for stormwater runoff and baseflow entering the chain originated in the north side of Lake Down.

“Lake quality is key for us,” said Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn. “The Butler Chain is designated by the state Legislature as an Outstanding Florida Waterway. As such, there are higher standards for the Butler Chain of Lakes, and more requirements, more rules.”

The polluted water entering Lake Down from the north contained high concentrations of phosphorus. This is problematic because the lakes’ water flow north to south, carrying the polluted water into Wauseon Bay, which ultimately discharges into Lake Butler and eventually finds its way into the southern lakes of the Butler Chain.

To remedy this, Orange County Environmental Protection Division initiated an alum treatment system to improve the water quality entering the north side of Lake Down. The project, funded by the Windermere Water and NavigationControl District, remained at a standstill in the planning stages for several years but was finally completed in mid-July.

With a depth of 15 to 20 feet, the alum treatment system comes in the form of a retention pond located upstream of Lake Down at the end of Wonder Lane. A dam was built to force water into the pond, causing the majority of the pollutants to enter the pond. Alum concentrate is then pumped into the pond and mixed into the water.

The alum treatment is key because it binds to the pollutants and coagulates, forcing the pollutants to settle to the bottom of the pond in the sediment. The sediment and pollutants can then be removed, allowing the pollutant-free water to discharge into the channel entering Lake Down.

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected].