NEWS

4M gallons of wastewater flows to Turkey Creek

Jim Waymer
FLORIDA TODAY
  • For more information%2C call the Brevard Health Department at 321-633-2100
  • Or email brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov. Residents also may call Palm Bay Utilities at 321-952-3410 or visit pbud.org
Posted at Goode Park Turkey Creek sewage discharge prompts Palm Bay to urge residents not to swim or fish in Turkey Creek. swimming fishing

PALM BAY – Signs along Turkey Creek warn not to swim or fish due to an "illicit discharge" that has sent bacteria in the water to unsafe levels.

Since Wednesday, 4 million gallons of semi-treated sewage has overflowed into the creek, after heavy rains overwhelmed the city's sewer plant off Troutman Boulevard.

The creek empties to the Indian River Lagoon, a waterway already enduring algae blooms that have killed fish throughout its reaches over the past month.

And more semi-treated sewage is on the way.

"The flows weren't able to be kept up with," said Bob Hinkel, a manager for Palm Bay Utilities.

The recent influx of sewage and stormwater maxed out the storage and treatment capacity at the city's plant, causing the semi-treated sewage to overflow into a canal that feeds into Turkey Creek.

The discharge began at around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

"It's in our treatment process, but it's coming in so fast that it's partially treated," said Julie Lemons, business operations division manager for Palm Bay Utilities.

"It will continue if the rains continue," she added of the ongoing discharge. "We're probably looking at another few days of this."

The Palm Bay area has seen 3 to 5 inches of rain in the past four days, triggering urban and small stream flood advisories.

Water tests for fecal bacteria in the creek are underway, and the advisory will be lifted once results come back at safe concentrations.

"They show levels above the allowable limit, so it will remain in effect," Lemons said of the current public advisory.

The city is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Department of Health to ensure the overflow doesn't pose a health hazard.

Sewer plant permits allow for wastewater discharges during emergencies.

"There are stipulations for acts of God, so to speak," said Mara Burger, a DEP spokeswoman. "At this point, it looks like they're doing everything they can do. If they weren't doing what they could, then we could take action."

Despite the warning signs, one man could be seen Friday afternoon cleaning freshly-caught fish at the Castaways Point Park pier.

Those who do come into contact with possible contaminants in Turkey Creek should wash thoroughly, city officials said, especially before eating or drinking.

Children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are especially at risk from contaminated water.

At the Castaways Point Park pier, Frank Nieves watched dark-brown cloudy water flowing from the mouth of Turkey Creek.

"That doesn't seem legal," the Palm Bay man said upon hearing of the city's discharge. "They shouldn't dump that stuff here. That's no good."

Susan Salina of Palm Bay wondered about the impact to wildlife. "Does than mean we're going to have more dead dolphins?" she wondered. "I'd be afraid to swim."

Friday's discharge was the city's second recent influx of sewage into Turkey Creek.

In early August, up to 10,000 gallons of raw sewage overflowed from a city manhole cover into the creek, when a lift station at the base of the U.S 1 bridge failed, prompting officials to post signs warning against swimming or fishing.

Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow Jim on Twitter: @jwayenviro

The details

For more information, call the Brevard Health Department at 633-2100 or email brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov. Residents also may call Palm Bay Utilities at 952-3410 or visit pbud.org.