PALM BAY, Fla. – A “significant” sewer main break in Palm Bay has been repaired, but cleanup continues after “an active discharge of wastewater onto the ground,” according to city officials.
The main break happened Monday near 1050 Clearmont Street NE and involved a 20-inch sewer main that is a primary feed to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
“Due to the critical nature of the line, the flow cannot be immediately halted, resulting in an active discharge of wastewater onto the ground,” the city said before the repair.
“In response, the City has mobilized emergency resources and engaged Cathcart Construction Company, an experienced contractor with a strong record of service to regional municipalities, to isolate and repair the break,” a release reads.
The city said said there was no impact to the drinking water supply and it remained “safe and unaffected.”
News 6’s Palm Bay community correspondent James Sparvero said he could smell sewage before he even parked his car and began his reporting.
Neighbors told James they were concerned of the break’s proximity to Turkey Creek, which flows into the Indian River.
“I’m really worried about this area back here because we have a lot of turtles, we have a lot of rabbits, we have bobcats in this area,” Toni Law said. “So, I’m really concerned about the animals back here.”
Close to the site of the break, Matt Newton looked over a bridge at sewage that had flowed toward Turkey Creek.
“It’s just a mess,” he said. “I don’t know what they’re gonna do about it.”