Palm Bay warns residents about large sewage spill, calling it serious ‘public health concern’

Palm Bay is actively responding to “a significant sewer forcemain break” that happened late June 8 around 1050 Clearmont St. NE, near the city’s sewer plant.

The incident, which happened around 11 p.m., involves a 20-inch sewer main that serves as a primary feed to the city’s sewage 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 in a press release. “This constitutes a serious environmental and public health concern. However, there is no impact to the City’s drinking water supply, which remains safe and unaffected.”

In response, the city mobilized emergency resources and engaged Cathcart Construction Company to isolate and repair the break.

“Containment efforts are currently underway, and the spill is expected to be controlled by mid-afternoon today,” the release said. “The City will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available. The citizen hotline 321-726-5683 will have the most current information.

“It’s really bad,” said Mitzie Norman, of Sunswept Road, who first noticed the clumps of waste and odor early Monday. “You can absolutely see it.”

Contact Waymer at (321) 261-5903 or at jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro.