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typhoid fever. Breathing in the high levels of the putrid gases released from
these spills can also be harmful, causing mouth, eye, throat and lung
irritations, some even life threatening. Exposure to these toxic conditions
also poses health risk for your pets.
Meetings were held by our City Leaders who tried to answer questions from
the many concerned and angry residents of the affected areas.
These leaders also tried to explain their plan to replace the entire seven-and-
a-half-mile 54-inch pipe with a new 48-inch pipe, which runs from
the Sewage Treatment Plant in Port Everglades, to the Coral Ridge
Country Club.
City Manager Chris Lagerbloom estimated the cost of this intensive project
would be approximately 65 million dollars, and to be completed in an
estimated 16 to 18 months.

Those in attendance at these meetings applauded the efforts of the many
city workers that worked endless hours throughout the holidays to repair
these ruptured pipes. They were also happy to hear about the much-needed
updates to the sewer system, but voiced their anger over the $120 million
dollars that was taken from water and sewer money and used on other city
projects by the City. This practice is otherwise known as return on
investment. Mr. Lagerbloom stated “We’re going to stop that practice going
forward,” while talking with co-hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg
on Local 10’s Week in South Florida.

There were no health or disease experts present at any of these meetings to
offer advice or warnings to those living near this toxic mess, or to explain
the hazardous conditions of our waterways. One resident was overheard
saying, “There isn’t one freaking warning sign up. The people have no clue
that they’re swimming in this.” This lack of professional information left
residents concerned for their safety and health.
“The city seemed to really drop the ball on this. They did a pretty good job
at the Town Hall meeting the other night, but they didn’t answer questions
that I know were submitted about the water quality and why they didn’t do
more,” said Jennifer Peters, an avid paddle boarder who lives near
Himmarshee. The Commission only answered questions that were submitted
for city leaders’ review ahead of time and read by Assistant City Manager,
Ashley Boxer. Peters’ continued, “They draw these imaginary lines in the
water and think the poop and all the other things in the water won’t pass
that line. There are no flood gates, so basically everything is polluted and
they should have extended the warnings.”
After many pleas and request, safety tips and precautionary advisories for
water-related recreational activities were finally posted on
Fortlauderdale.gov, on city social media feed, or if you were fortunate
enough to be on City Officials’ email lists. The local media did a great job
spreading the hazardous waste advisories too. But many people here,
particularly snowbirds and visitors, aren’t on these email lists, do not read
the local paper or listen to local news, and have no idea that there is a city

28 CORAL RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES HOA