Thousands of gallons of reclaimed wastewater discharged in Sarasota

SARASOTA — A broken main discharged several thousand gallons of reclaimed wastewater on Tuesday, the state reported.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, city of Sarasota crews found a split main at Hyde Park Street and Clematis Place at about 11 a.m. The main was shut down and repaired.

About 17,100 gallons of reclaimed wastewater, which can be used for irrigation but is not safe to drink, was released. The spill was contained on the site. No cleanup actions were required.

SPECIAL REPORT: Sewer Crisis in the State of Florida

This is the fourth incident in Sarasota County this month. On May 5 a lift station failure caused more than 5,000 gallons of raw sewage to spill into a pond. Nearly 800 gallons of raw sewage leaked into a neighborhood on May 2. About 1,200 gallons of wastewater was discharged near Venice on May 9.

On May 8 staffers told the County Commission that it would cost more than $300 million to upgrade three wastewater treatment plants.

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