PALM BAY, Fla. – After dealing with a significant sewer main break, Palm Bay said the leak was contained, but residents have been urged to avoid Turkey Creek and nearby waterways.
The break, which happened Monday near 1050 Clearmont Street NE, involved a 20-inch sewer main that is a primary feed to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
[See News 6 video below of Palm Bay sewer main break from Monday]
“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.
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Crews contained the leak as of Monday night, according to city officials, who added that complete repairs were anticipated by midnight.
The city said Tuesday morning that vacuum trucks were on-site and “actively working to clean both the pond adjacent to the damaged pipe and the swale that runs parallel to it.”
“To isolate the affected section, two 20-inch line stops were installed on the forcemain, along with a bypass to ensure uninterrupted flow. Following the installation, crews made the necessary pipe repairs using 20-inch long sleeves and replacement sections of pipe. Once the structural repairs were complete, the area was backfilled with clean soil,” the city said.
Crews are also conducting remediation efforts in Turkey Creek “to perform manual skimming and net dragging to collect any remaining discharge material.”
“Residents are still urged to avoid contact with Turkey Creek or surrounding waterways until further notice. This includes no fishing, boating, or swimming. However, there is no impact to the City’s drinking water supply, which remains safe and unaffected,” the city said.
Neighbor Robin Hernandez told News 6’s Palm Bay community correspondent James Sparvero she doesn’t trust the city.
“I don’t trust the water all,” Hernandez said. “You can smell it in your house. It really reeks.”
Now, the Turkey Creek resident said she’s concerned about the long-term environmental effects of the spill.
“This has happened many a times,” she said. “It’s just very disheartening for the animals and for us.”
Wednesday, the city said that the cause of the failure had been revealed, stating the damaged section was found to have a 2- to 3-inch crack running the full length of a 20-foot-long pipe.
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.
Routine inspections on our collection system occur monthly. The last inspection of the air release valve was completed two weeks prior.
In addition, pressure data loggers are being monitored routinely for increased demand, which shows stress on the system.
June 11, 2025 | 9 AM UPDATE: City of Palm Bay Responds to Sewer Force Main Break (excerpt)
It was found that the pipe had been installed at an unusual angle which could have added to long-term strain and helped cause the failure, the city said, adding it was estimated that around 3.19 million gallons of wastewater had been released as a result of the break.
“(Approximately) 2 million gallons have been recovered through ongoing remediation efforts, with an estimated 1.19 million gallons released into the environment.”
June 11, 2025 | 9 AM UPDATE: City of Palm Bay Responds to Sewer Force Main Break (excerpt)
There would be water samples collected Tuesday afternoon with five locations tested on a 24-hour cycle, then monitored over the next three weeks.
Residents can contact a citizen hotline to receive the latest information at 321-726-5683.
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