“Palm Bay Successfully Resolves Sewer Main Break Emergency, Contains Spill of 3M Gallons of Wastewater”

PALM BAY, Fla. – One week after a significant sewer main break in Palm Bay, city officials on Tuesday said immediate recovery operations were completed.

The main break happened June 9 near 1050 Clearmont Street NE and involved a 20-inch sewer main that is a primary feed to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

[See aftermath of sewer water main break below]

Palm Bay said part of the restoration efforts included having 54 pallets of sod installed to “restore impacted pond system and right-of-way areas.”

The city said because the flow couldn’t be stopped due to the line’s “critical nature,” over 3 million gallons of wastewater was discharged. Of the 3 million gallons, 1.19 million gallons released into the environment. Residents last week were asked to avoid Turkey Creek and nearby waterways while remediation efforts were underway.

“Crews have successfully removed all turbidity barriers and flock logs from Turkey Creek, and active aeration of the water continues to support the ecosystem’s natural recovery. Contaminated materials have been removed to the greatest extent possible,” the city said in a release. “However, this does not mark the end of our commitment.”

Palm Bay said it would continue water quality testing and environmental monitoring “to ensure the ongoing safety of the area for residents and wildlife.”

The city said the sewer main had a 2- to 3-inch crack.

“Although the pipe was originally expected to have a lifespan of 80-100 years, it failed after just 37 years, or half its lifespan. This break could not have been reasonably anticipated,” Palm Bay said of the sewer main break.

Last week, crews removed soil “to a depth of 12 inches in the affected area.” The city said it would work with its environmental team to ensure full remediation to protect the Indian River Lagoon.