Wastewater Entering Eau Gallie River After Force Main Damaged During Construction Accident
By Space Coast Daily // November 16, 2016
amount spilled not yet determined
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Work is underway to repair a 16-inch wastewater force main under the Eau Gallie River after it was damaged by a City of Melbourne contractor drilling under the river to install a new 20-inch reclaimed water main.
The damage occurred on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. when the contractor accidentally hit the 16-inch wastewater force main in the same location, causing wastewater to spill from the rupture, according to Cheryl Mall, Public Information Officer
for the City of Melbourne.
“The contractor and City of Melbourne personnel worked through the night to contain the flow of wastewater and attempted to repair the wastewater main, but because it was located approximately 11 feet underground, a larger piece of equipment was needed than was available last night,” said Mall.
“The required equipment was delivered this morning, and work is again underway to complete the repair.”
Related Story:VIDEO: Melbourne Police Department Now Hiring, Actively Seeking Right Individuals To Join Team
Due to the location of the break along the bank on the south side of the Eau Gallie River, just east of the Apollo Boulevard bridge, wastewater has been entering the Eau Gallie River intermittently since the damage occurred.
“We do not currently have an estimate of the amount of wastewater that has spilled into the river,” said Mall.
City staff are in contact with Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
