Only about 1,600 gallons recovered
During the afternoon and evening of Thursday, July 10, approximately 2,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled from a manhole located at 4228 Central Sarasota Parkway on Palmer Ranch, Sarasota County Public Utilities Department staff has reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
A crew was able to recover only about 1,600 gallons, the report points out, but none of the effluent flowed into a stormwater catch basin or waterway. Therefore, the report adds, no sampling of water was necessary in an effort to protect public health.
When staff members arrived on the scene, the report explains, they confirmed that the wastewater gravity system had been surcharged, which resulted in the spill.
The City of Republic, Missouri, explains, “A surcharged sewer flows at a level greater than the ‘normal’ level.”
Staff with Public Utilities quickly stopped the spill by using an hydraulic jet truck to clear the blockage, the report notes. “A massive root intrusion caused the blockage in the manhole,” the report points out.
The clean-up of the site was handled according to county protocol, the report continues.
Staff planned to use a county truck with closed-circuit TV equipment “to make sure all roots are removed” and then plan for repairs or lining of the sewer line, if needed, the report says.
The notification about the effluent from the manhole came at 3:30 p.m. on July 10, the report adds. The incident was not resolved until 8 p.m., the report notes.
The affected sewer line is part of the infrastructure associated with the Central County Water Reclamation Facility, which is located on Palmer Ranch, the report indicates.