Fort Lauderdale residents may see temporary water color change

Fort Lauderdale city officials have warned residents that their tap water may change color beginning Monday, September 8, due to ongoing work at the new Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.

The city said crews will be flushing raw water piping at the Prospect Wellfield to remove sand, grit, and other debris—a critical step to ensure high-quality water once the facility is fully operational in fall 2026.

During the process, the Fiveash Water Treatment Plant will not have access to certain wells. “Some wells with naturally higher organic content will need to be used, which may cause your water to appear slightly different than usual,” officials said.

Despite the color change, the city emphasized that the water remains safe to drink and meets all primary drinking water standards. The change is temporary and is expected to resolve once the new plant comes online.

Officials described the work as part of a broader infrastructure upgrade aimed at delivering the highest-quality water to homes and businesses throughout Fort Lauderdale and surrounding municipalities.

Fort Lauderdale is home to thousands of Caribbean-Americans who may be affected.

For more information on the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center, visit spotlightftl.com/water-treatment-plant.