JEA: Electrical failure sends millions of gallons of sewage into river

The failure happened at the master wastewater lift station at 5104 118^th Street in Southwest Jacksonville around 2 p.m.

JEA spokesperson Gerri Boyce said the pump was offline for approximately 7 1/2 hours as crews were forced to stand down during high wind conditions.

The sewage flowed into the river until the pumps were reset just before midnight.

Boyce said a spill of this size is extremely rare and happens maybe once every 10 years.

This spill was unusual because crews were not able to be out on the streets during the peak of Hurricane Matthew.

Crews responded as soon as winds decreased to 40 miles per hour and it was safe to venture out.

JEA sent out this notice:

The potential risk to public health, safety or welfare may include contact with the waters of the Ortega River.   Recreational activities such as swimming and fishing in the Ortega River in the vicinity of the Timuquana Road bridge and upstream should not occur until further notice.

JEA will continue to monitor the situation and work with FDEP to perform required sampling until the Ortega River is back within regulatory limits. JEA will then notify the public through the media and jea.com website postings when it is safe to resume recreational activities in the Ortega River.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been notified."

Cox Media Group