JACKSONVILLE — As much as 273,600 gallons of untreated wastewater may have flowed into a tributary of the New River over the last two weeks due to an undiscovered leak, the city announced Friday.
The State Division of Water Quality has been notified of the potential quantity and crews will follow State standards and advice for remediation in the area.
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The city’s utility division was first notified of a strong smell by a Bayshore Estates resident.
During an onsite investigation around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, a very slow leak was discovered in a 30-inch wastewater pipe some distance away from where the smell was reported, according to the release. The 30-inch pipe is a major line that delivers wastewater from an adjacent area to the Wilson Bay Pump Station.
Jacksonville crews moved to bypass the leak after it was discovered, which stopped any flow into the Thompson School Creek and made repairs. After further investigation, it was determined that the leak, which authorities believe was initially a small leak that grew in size, could have been undiscovered for about two weeks before the city was notified.
In the after-action review, it was estimated that 273,600 gallons of wastewater could have potentially spilled. City water quality technicians were also monitoring the situation.
