Authorities: Facebook video shows lawful disposal of Sarasota sewage

SARASOTA COUNTY — Sarasota County and state Department of Environmental Protection officials say a video of two men disposing of wastewater last week near Jacaranda Boulevard and Sklar Drive was a lawful disposal of wastewater in a sewer manhole.

According to the notice filed with the DEP, work crews were performing emergency repairs on a three-inch water main near Oxford Drive and Tuxedo Road at about 3 p.m. Sept. 27 when a nearby eight-inch sewer main collapsed because of unforeseen ground conditions.

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Most of the wastewater was contained on site, though 500 gallons did enter a nearby stormwater drain.

Cape Coral resident Will Zariske posted a video on Facebook that showed workers dumping the wastewater into a manhole near the lift station at 1810 Sklar Drive. That prompted several people to post comments concerned that the wastewater was being poured into a stormwater drain.

A release from a county spokeswoman noted: “This operation is typical under this scenario and all the water discharged at this location was pumped to our wastewater treatment facility.”