08/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/23/2024 12:13
Published on August 23, 2024
Clearwater Public Utilities crews experienced a reportable exceedance at the Marshall Street Water Reclamation Facility, due to high flows Aug. 22 that resulted from heavy rains into Aug. 23. The plant is located at 1605 Harbor Drive in Clearwater.
As of 7:24 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, an estimated 11.15 million gallons of partially-treated wastewater effluent spilled into Stevenson Creek. Crews do not know the exact time the system went back into compliance.
As required, the city made the necessary notifications about the spill to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) via report #2024-07115, FDEP Incident #25336. Crews posted notification signs at downstream sampling locations and sanitized the affected area using lime. Sample results are pending at this time.
Due to the excessive hydraulic inflow, crews had to stop feeding reclaimed water into the system at the Marshall Street plant, and the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility remained online. Therefore, Clearwater reclaimed water customers continue to have service but may experience low water pressure today and into the weekend. (Demand should be low, however, due to this week's rains). Reclaimed water at the Marshall Street plant is expected to be start feeding back into the reclaimed water system later Aug. 23.
The preliminary cost of mitigation plan is unknown at this time but could include Stevenson Creek microbial sampling, costs of chemicals and ploymers, and employee overtime.
View the Sanitary Sewer Overflows
On Aug. 23, Clearwater Public Utilities crews are on site of a six-inch, cast-iron water main break at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Belleair Road in Clearwater. Crews are assessing the damage and what repairs are required. This closure will most likely impact traffic, and it is possible the intersection will be required to close, in order to make the necessary repairs. The duration of construction to repair it is currently unknown. Currently, no residential or commercial water customers are without water service.
Boil Water Notices
There are currently no precautionary boil-water orders at this time.
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