BREAKING: Palm Bay Dumps 450 Thousand Gallons of Raw Sewage into Lagoon During Hurricane Milton
Oct. 13th, 2024 -- 5:30pm - TheBlakeMoiaShow.com
Sewage Spill Locations
The Blake Moia Show was tipped off to a massive sewage spill in the City of Palm Bay in Brevard County.
According to State Representative Randy Fine, a total of 450,000 gallons of raw, untreated sewage was dumped into the Indian River Lagoon during Hurricane Milton.
Five locations experienced the nasty spill including 4 lift station failures and 1 broken raw waste main line.
- 860 Coply St SE: 5,550 gallons spilled due to lift station overflow.
- 515 Azalea Ave SE: 5,850 gallons spilled due to lift station overflow.
- 1601 Riviera Dr NE: 36,000 gallons spilled from lift station overflow.
- 1570 Norwood St NE: 300,000 gallons spilled from a broken force main.
- 3380 Jupiter Blvd SE: 120,000 gallons spilled from lift station overflow.
All drainage water and run off eventually flows into the Indian River. The raw waste was not contained nor cleaned up in these 5 cases, sources say. The untreated hazardous waste was allowed to seep into the ground and into drainage canals, street gutters and run off drains and the area was treated with lime.
This isn't the first incident at which the City of Palm Bay has experienced a massive and significant raw sewage waste dump into the Indian River Lagoon.
- Hurricane Irma (2017): During Hurricane Irma, Brevard County's wastewater treatment plants were overwhelmed, resulting in approximately 30 million gallons of sewage being discharged into the Indian River Lagoon. This spill contributed to nutrient pollution, which exacerbated algal blooms in the lagoon.
- Hurricane Ian (2022): Hurricane Ian caused a substantial sewage spill in Brevard County, with 7.2 million gallons of sewage overflowing into the Indian River Lagoon. This incident was attributed to excessive rainfall and power outages affecting lift stations, despite having backup generators.
State leaders blame Palm Bay City leaders for not properly maintaining their infrastructure. A total of 40 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage has been discharged into the Indian River Lagoon since Hurricane Irma in 2017.
The recent raw sewage spill in the City of Palm Bay has raised significant public health concerns, particularly on The Blake Moia Show. The incident highlights the dangers associated with sewage spills, which can introduce harmful pathogens into the environment, posing risks to community health.
Raw sewage is a breeding ground for various harmful bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. These pathogens can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, affecting individuals who may come into contact with contaminated water or surfaces.
Moreover, viruses like Hepatitis A, echoviruses, and coxsackieviruses are also prevalent in untreated sewage. These viruses can cause flu-like symptoms and other health complications, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Parasites such as, Giardia, roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm, and others persist in raw, untreated sewage, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Experts emphasize the importance of addressing sewage spills promptly to mitigate their impact on public health. Preventative measures and swift responses are crucial in protecting communities from the potential spread of these dangerous pathogens.
As residents of Palm Bay grapple with the aftermath of the sewage spill, it serves as a reminder of the critical need for infrastructure improvements and regular maintenance to safeguard public health and ensure clean water access for all.
FROM THE BLAKE MOIA SHOW ARCHIVES
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