Bradenton’s wastewater plant recently spilled an estimated 1.7 million gallons of sewage into the Manatee River during an overflow at the plant, a report filed by the city says.
It’s the largest spill reported this year at the wastewater plant. It comes as the city is in the midst of millions of dollars in upgrades to its aged and troubled sewer system.
For now, the plant remains a source of constant pollution for the Manatee River. While major sewage spills have been less frequent this year, the plant still regularly exceeds state limits for nutrients in its treated wastewater, a known contributor to water quality problems such as harmful algal blooms like red tide.
Report details Bradenton sewage spill
The city’s report says that on Sept. 8, a plant operator noticed several sewage treatment systems overflowing, causing wastewater to run off the grounds into a nearby roadway and storm drain. To stop the overflow, operators opened the plant’s bypass and allowed partially-treated sewage to discharge into the Manatee River for over five hours. Plant operators closed the bypass the next morning, the report said…