County crews able to recover all the water from a nearby ditch
Starting about 3 p.m. on Feb. 15, approximately 4,000 gallons of fully treated, reclaimed water spilled from a Sarasota County reclaimed water main in the area of 8167 Palmer Blvd., county Public Utilities Department staff reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Crews responded to the scene after receiving a call about “water bubbling up from the ground” across from the Palmer Boulevard address, the report said. When they investigated the situation, the report added, they discovered a leak in a 20-inch reclaimed water main.
The reclaimed water that had leaked from the pipeline flowed into an adjacent ditch, where it was contained, the report said. Staff was able to recover the approximately 4,000 gallons, as a result, the report added.
No sampling of other water bodies was necessary, the report continued, and the clean-up of the area was proceeding according to county protocols.
Trenchlesspedia explains, “A water main is a primary underground pipe in a municipal water distribution system.” It is a major artery that supplies a high volume of water under pressure to smaller pipes.
Trenchlesspedia adds, “Water mains can be subject to various wear and tear issues,” including faulty joints, inadequate hydraulic capacity, and corrosion. “Water mains have been flagged as critical issues in aging utility infrastructures in developed countries,” it points out.
The county crews were able to isolate the affected portion of the reclaimed water main and begin repairs, the report noted. The work was completed by 10 a.m. on Feb. 16, the report indicated.
The reclaimed water main is part of the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility service area, the report noted.
The Bee Ridge plant is located at 5550 Lorraine Road in Sarasota.