Water Leaks, Breaks and Emergencies
Published on August 15, 2025
Wastewater Breaks or Emergencies
Aug. 15, 2025
(This information was updated Aug. 27 at 4:48 p.m.)
There was a sanitary sewer overflow that occurred the morning of Aug. 15, at Holt Avenue and Russell Street, due to a loss of power at the Marshall Street Water Reclamation Facility's headworks. There was an overflow at the manhole in the intersection of Holt and Russell.
The headworks were being powered by a generator while the Automatic Transfer Switch was being replaced by a contractor. The generator failed, and the plant lost power at approximately 4 a.m. The sanitary sewer overflow started at approximately 5:45 a.m. Public Utilities crews brought in a city-owned portable generator as well as city and contractor-owned vactor trucks, and power was back on at 7:10 a.m.
An estimated 247,644 gallons overflowed into the stormwater system and Stevenson Creek. Vacuum trucks recovered approximately 3,600 gallons. The affected area was cordoned off, cleaned, and treated with lime. Public awareness signs have been posted, and surface water sampling has begun.
The preliminary cost of mitigation includes estimated fines are $15,000. Crews reported the event to the State Watch and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Aug. 15
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