UPDATE: As of October 12th, the Orlando Utilities Commission has indicated that the reduction in water usage was effective and customers can return to their normal water usage. But, the OUC has continued to note that residents should be mindful of conservation practices.
The situation with COVID-19 has continued to change and develop over the past several months.
Disney World Health and Safety Signage | Prior to Recent Mask and Distancing Changes
We’ve been keeping an eye out for updates on mask guidance, COVID-19 case rates in Florida, and more. And now we’ve got an update about COVID-19 and potential impacts the treatment of those with COVID-19 may have on the water supply in Orlando.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) held a news conference on Friday regarding water consumption and the impacts of COVID-19. During the conference, Mayor Dyer discussed the high number of unvaccinated, critically ill patients being treated at hospitals and shared that many of them require liquid oxygen as part of their treatment.
Dyer noted that liquid oxygen is also typically used by OUC to treat the water supply. According to Dyer, the demand for liquid oxygen is high nationally and locally, and the priority is to use it to treat critically ill patients. As a result of the high demand, there are impacts to the supply of liquid oxygen OUC typically receives.
Health & Safety Reminders
The OUC also shared this information on their page and noted that a regional shortage of liquid oxygen linked to the surge of COVID-19 inpatient treatments is impacting their treated water supplies.
Mayor Dyer noted that there could be impacts to water quality if the local community doesn’t immediately reduce the amount of water that they need to treat, because of the more limited supply of liquid oxygen. Mayor Dyer said that at this point they believe that if the community takes these immediate actions they will be able to mitigate the impacts on their water supply.
According to Fox 35 News, officials have indicated that water treatment could hit a critical point in a week if water consumption doesn’t change, at which point a boil water notice could potentially be put in place.
Health and Safety Reminders Sign
The OUC website notes that if the OUC’s liquid oxygen supplies continue to be depleted and water usage isn’t reduced, water quality could be impacted. But, they believe that won’t happen if everyone does their part to conserve water.
©OUC
The OUC has indicated that lawn and landscaping irrigation accounts for 40% of the water use in Central Florida. Mayor Dyer said they are asking residents to help by temporarily limiting the watering of their lawns and washing their cars, and businesses should limit irrigation and pressure washing.
In terms of other ways to help, the OUC website has shared the following information.
©OUC
UPDATE: According to an update from the OUC on August 25th, they have seen a moderate reduction in water demand and are continuing to ask customers to limit or refrain from watering their laws or any other non-essential water use.
©OUC
In a press conference held on August 26th, the Mayor of Orange County, Florida, Jerry Demings, shared that as to Orange County specifically they are not at the level of issuing a boil notice. He also noted that there is no current likelihood that the demand for liquid oxygen would be exceeded because of their usage and levels within Orange County.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates on this situation.
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Before I read this I was 75% sure I was canceling my September Disney trip. After having read that the water quality may be affected by Covid, that number is now up to 90%. Who knows what it will be next week.
Due to the high number of unvaccinated, critically ill patients being treated at hospitals needing liquid oxygen as part of their treatment, there are impacts to the supply of liquid oxygen the water company needs and typically receives. Oh well.
so on the poster they ask we wash our hands frequently and now they are saying save water?
what does water consumption have to do with patients? if they were at home wouldn’t they be using water as well?
I have to believe this is FAKE news i cant Imagine Liquid Oxygen used in medical treatment is the same used in water treatment…something sounds Fishy
Love WDW however Big ticket prices to get the privilege of buying a ticket to ride a ride… not a good decision Disney—selling our DVC membership, giving up annual passes, and taking our vacation dollars elsewhere may sadly be necessary …just sad
Does Walt Disney World have it’s own water supply?
Interesting. Here in Northern California we’ve been mandated to reduce our consumption of water by 20% because we have had NO RAIN last year, and thus, no water in our reservoirs, natural or otherwise, both underground and on land so we need to save the rest for some fish. I thought Florida was famous for rain, lakes, waterways and flooding. Are they saving all the rest of their water for fish and wildlife like we are here?
I’m old enough to remember when elected officials promised us it will only take ‘fifteen days to flatten the curve’, and when they promised us that the vaccine would prevent us from getting COVID.
New promises.
Just one small point. Because of Covid, aren’t we supposed to be washing our hands more often? Just saying.
Cindy, the issue isn’t available water; the issue is the liquid oxygen used by the City of Orlando to clean its water. The liquid oxygen has been redirected to hospitals for the care of patients due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
JM, that’s an interesting question. I wasn’t able to find the info, but I suspect it’s from the Buena Vista Aquifer.
Why comment on an article you haven’t read? The water that comes out of your faucets has been treated, whether you are using it to drink, brush your teeth, or wash your hands. If they are unable to treat the water, it will no longer be potable. You can still wash your hands with it, but you will need to boil it in order to safely put it in your mouth.
Liquid oxygen is liquid oxygen. It is what it is. It has many uses, and two of them happen to be treating water and administering to patients in the hospital. It isn’t a conspiracy to trick you into whatever you think they are trying to trick you into. What would even be the point?
In California we live with drought and water restrictions. Turn off the water while you lather your hands and brush your teeth. Stick a bucket in the shower to collect the water while it heats up and use that to water your plants, and then take a shorter shower. Water your lawn once or twice a week overnight when it is less likely to evaporate. Don’t replace your towels every day. It’s easy to reduce your water usage. Certainly easier than having to boil water so that you can brush your teeth.
Gene DiNapoli — Here’s what the article stated: ccording to Fox 35 Orlando, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) held a news conference on Friday regarding water consumption and the impacts of COVID-19. During the conference, Mayor Dyer discussed the high number of unvaccinated, critically ill patients being treated at hospitals and shared that many of them require liquid oxygen as part of their treatment.
Dyer noted that liquid oxygen is also typically used by OUC to treat the water supply. According to Dyer, the demand for liquid oxygen is high nationally and locally, and the priority is to use it to treat critically ill patients. As a result of the high demand, there are impacts to the supply of liquid oxygen OUC typically receives.
I wasn’t aware that liquid oxygen was used to “clean” water. Is it more cost effective to use than other methods? But I suppose it’s easier to just ask everyone to conserve rather than switching to other methods. I was also wondering about WDW’s water supply. They have their own municipality, so having their own supply & treatment methods system wouldn’t be a big surprise.
Cindy, here’s some info I found from the Orlando Utilities Commission about their use of liquid oxygen to treat water. It’s an interesting topic.