Orlando declares water shortage

The City of Orlando is dealing with a water shortage linked to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. 

The Orlando Utilities Commission announced on Friday, Aug. 20 that there is a regional shortage of liquid oxygen "linked to the surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations" that are impacting OUC's ability to treat drinking water. 

To reduce demand for the liquid oxygen, OUC asked the Central Florida community to limit irrigating their lawns and landscapes, which accounts for 40% of Orlando's water use, according to the OUC website. 

"If OUC’s liquid oxygen supplies continue to be depleted and water usage isn’t reduced, water quality may be impacted," OUC said in their announcement. "But, we believe that will not happen if everyone does their part to conserve water."

Mayor Buddy Dyer joined OUC Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Linda Ferrone in a news conference Friday afternoon to address the situation.

“It’s another result of what happens when people don’t get vaccinated, become critically ill, and require medical treatment,” Dyer said “If you haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time.”

OUC sent out an update today, letting residents know that they have seen a moderate decrease in water demand when compared to the daily average of 90 million gallons. 

"We ask that customers continue to limit watering their yard and other non-essential water use until further notice," OUC said in their update. "We appreciate our community’s effort to conserve water, and it’s critical that we continue to work together every day to reduce our demand for water even more."