Local municipalities have reported a substantial amount of sewage spilled by circumstances during Tropical Storm Debby.
Since Aug. 4, at least 6.6 million gallons of sewage discharged during numerous incidents at treatment facilities, lift stations, and manholes throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Not all spills came into contact with local waterways, but the discharges resulted in millions of gallons of sewage spilled into bodies of water that feed into Sarasota Bay.
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Millions of gallons of sewage spilled in Sarasota County
Municipalities in Sarasota County reported at least 2.87 million gallons of sewage spilled as a result of Tropical Storm Debby.
On Aug. 7, Sarasota County reported sewage overflows at nine out of 785 lift stations because of rainfall, power outages and clogs caused by Tropical Storm Debby. Those lift stations are located at Beneva Woods, Coral Club, Gulf Gate, Linwood, Longwood, Osprey, Riverview, Siesta Key and Willow Leaf. Authorities estimate that 792,700 gallons of sewage spilled from those locations combined. The largest overflow occurred at the Siesta Key Regional Lift Station with 309,000 gallons of sewage spilled, followed by the Linwood Regional Lift Station with 252,000 gallons.