Bypass pumps’ malfunction blamed in incident
Approximately 10,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled in the middle of East Venice Avenue near the Warfield Avenue intersection after a contractor’s bypass pumps ceased working, the City of Venice staff has reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The contractor was identified in that report as Spectrum Underground of Sarasota.
The sewage backed up from a manhole and flowed into the curb inlets on either side of the intersection, staff informed FDEP. Two other manholes overflowed, as well, the report said, with the sewage making its way into Hatchett Creek.
Workers cleaned up the site with a vacuum truck and applied disinfectant, the report continued. City staff had begun taking samples of water from Hatchett Creek to ty to safeguard public health, the report added. Signs also were posted in the area to let the public know about the incident, the report said.
The spill began at 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 15 and concluded at 2:20 a.m., the report noted.
The City of Venice reported in late June that, beginning the week of June 23, Spectrum Underground Inc. would start work on the city’s Intracoastal Second Force Main Project, which involves “the construction of a second 16-inch wastewater force main under the Intracoastal Waterway from the intersection of Florida St. and American Legion Way to the intersection of E. Venice Ave. and Warfield Ave., and an extension of an additional 24-inch gravity sewer within N. Warfield Ave. and Calle Del Torro. This force main will convey wastewater more reliably off Venice island to the City’s master lift station on Calle Del Torro,” the advisory added.
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains, “Force mains are pipelines that convey wastewater under pressure from the discharge side of a pump or pneumatic ejector to a discharge point. Pumps or compressors located in a lift station provide the energy for wastewater
“The contract completion date is March 20, 2026,” the city news release noted. However, it continued, “Weather or unforeseen circumstances may result in an extension of the completion date.”