Waterways affected by incident
On the morning of Jan. 28, an estimated 10,000 gallons of raw sewage began spilling in the conservation area next to the property standing at 12195 Sebring Lane in Venice, Sarasota County Public Utilities staff has notified the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The incident was the result of a break in a 6-inch PVC sewer force main, county staff reported.
In cleaning up the spill site and the surrounding stormwater infrastructure, the report said, a crew recovered approximately 101,600 gallons, “to ensure adequate capture.”
A sewer force main is a pipeline that conveys wastewater under pressure from a lower to a higher elevation, the Environmental Protection Agency has explained.
The incident began at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, the report added; it was not resolved until 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 29. The cleanup proceeded in accord with county protocols, the report pointed out.
Because waterways were affected, the report noted, staff had to begin collecting samples from the affected areas, in an effort to protect public health.
The pipeline is part of the county infrastructure associated with the Venice Gardens Water Reclamation Facility, the report said.