ECUA Pipe Dumps 2.2 Million Gallons Of Untreated Sewage Prompting Health Advisory

June 25, 2011

An ECUA pipe failureĀ  dumped about 2.2 million gallons of untreated sewage into a wetland near the University of West Florida on Wednesday, prompting the Escambia County Health Department to issue a health advisory for Thompson’s Bayou.

Signs of the spill from the 12-inch “force main” pipe were first noted at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to an Emerald Coast Utilities Authority press release dated Thursday but received by NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon after an inquiry to ECUA. The notice was also not posted to the ECUA website until late Friday afternoon.

“Originally, the loss of flow was first thought to be from telemetry failure during local lightning activity. An immediate investigation was initiated, and the source of the leak was discovered around 2:30pm CDT (Wednesday),” the ECUA news release stated.

The area was “valved-off” and tankers were then used to transport the wastewater to a lift station, a process that took about two hours. The affected area, according to ECUA, was then cleaned-up, water quality samples were taken and state and local authorities were notified.

The health department advised against water-related activities for Thompson’s Bayou at the Escambia River until further notice due to a concern about the potential for high bacteria levels.

Comments

5 Responses to “ECUA Pipe Dumps 2.2 Million Gallons Of Untreated Sewage Prompting Health Advisory”

  1. David Huie Green on June 26th, 2011 4:35 pm

    remember to tube upstream in the near future, let it all wash down to Pensacola whence it came first

  2. Bob on June 25th, 2011 12:38 pm

    Hope everyone gets on their case just as much as they did to BP. I would lot rather fish and swim in a little bit of crude oil than in Escambia County sewage.

  3. Jane on June 25th, 2011 9:17 am

    If this happens now what will happen during a huricane????They better get a better system for cleanup!

  4. capt on June 25th, 2011 8:42 am

    The 2.7 mil they save on the demolition of the old plant is what they should be fined for being stupid

  5. Houndstooth on June 25th, 2011 8:36 am

    Are they “claiming” that they were able to clean and remove 2.2 million gallons of sewage in 2 hours?