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Storm Water Canals Near Turkey Point Will Be Used For Cooling System

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Rising water temperatures in the canal system that feeds the cooling system at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant has caused Florida Power and Light Company to make an emergency request with the South Florida Water Management District.

Late Thursday, water managers approved FPL's request to pump more storm water from the L-31E canal north of Turkey Point.

The water in the canal is collected from passing storms and is usually dumped into Biscayne Bay.

Click here to read the FPL to SFWMD Withdrawal Request 

Instead, through mid-October, it will now be pumped into the plant for cooling operations.

FPL blames a lack of rain, hot summer temperatures, and an ongoing algae problem for increased water temperatures in the nearly 6000 acre canal cooling system used by Turkey Point.

In recent months, water temperatures have been reported to be hovering at, or just over, 100 degrees.

FPL told the South Florida Water Management District it will have to shut down operations at Turkey Point if they water temperature exceeds 104 degrees.

This move is considered a temporary fix for the situation partially blamed on our hot summer time weather.

Turkey Point, according to FPL, produces electricity for two million customers in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

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