TAVARES, Fla. — Many people move out to Lake County to take part in the nature scene, especially with the multitude of lakes in the area. But some of these bodies of water are impaired. Now a Tavares resident is speaking up, hoping the county does something about it.

Linda Moss is a lifelong boater. “I had my first boat when I was 12-years-old,” said Linda Moss.

Now retired, she bought a waterfront property off the Apopka Beauclair Canal in Tavares to take advantage of the wildlife and fishing.

“We’ve always enjoyed the birds, the fish, the turtles,” said Moss, “it was a wildlife adventure when I first moved here”.

But lately that hasn’t been her reality. “We don’t know what day of the week we’ll be able to take our boats out,” said Moss.

Moss is talking about the water levels and the muck underneath the surface of the canals.

“I have become very distraught and unhappy with the water conditions. As most of my retired neighbors who have lived here for a considerable amount of time do. Some have even sold their boats and have just given up boating completely,” said Moss.

Impaired lakes isn’t a new issue within Lake County. Lake County Water Authority reports the current issues are dissolved oxygen and nutrients within the canal. They also report bacteria like E Coli and Fecal Coliform in the water. Moss’s concern is the impact these toxins have on boats and the environment.

“When you take your boat down the canal and there is so much muck that is clogs up your engine. If you don’t stop and clean it out, you’re gonna burn up your engine,” said Moss.

Her solution is dredging the Apopka Beauclair Canal. While dreging the canal will help remove the muck Moss is talking about, it’s also a big project, money and people wise. Resources Lake County Water Authority doesn’t have.

“In the realm of projects, doing miles residential canals, it’s way beyond the scope of our budget can support. We would have to sacrifice the whole rest of our mission,” said LCWA Chairman, Marty Proctor. 

Lake County Water Authority implemented a filration system to help with the canals help. But they also count on the residents living among the lake to do their part in keeping the lake healthy. Moss just hopes she’ll see the canals in good health before she goes.

“Where I didn’t worry about it before, I’m worried about it now,” said Moss.

Lake County said the Apopka Beauclair Canal got so impaired by decades of agriculture pollution from the 1900s.

While Lake County Water Authority may not have the resources to take on fixing the Apopka Beauclair Canal, the agency says the state may take on a project this size.

The county told Spectrum News the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has way more resources to take on dredging an entire canal.

“The project is really beyond the scope that we’re going to be able to do. The water district is responsible for 16 counties and they have a significantly larger budget than we do. They can also get grants and appropriations for these larger projects,” said Proctor. 

They said residents should pivot their efforts and ask the state to step in.