JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA officials say a broken sewer line dumped 1.1 million gallons of human sewage into a Southside retention pond that feeds Pottsburg Creek. The area is a popular spot for roadside fishing and people exercising.
Warning signs are now posted near Pottsburg Creek notifying people about the sewage leak.
Officials say the broken pipe responsible for the leak happened near a construction site on AC Skinner Parkway, and test results of the water are now coming back “fine” according to a JEA spokesperson.
Action News Jax obtained a pollution notice report from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The report says a cave-in caused the break in the sewer line Feb. 5. The report confirms the waterway is not a drinking water source.
Signs like these line parts of Pottsburg Creek on southside after 1.1 MILLION GALLONS of raw sewage recently leaked after pipe break pic.twitter.com/GqEAXu4q40
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) February 13, 2017
JEA Spokesperson Gerri Boyce said the spill cut off oxygen in the water and killed fish. Right now, the utility company is working to restock the pond and creek with fish once the waters are safe again.
JEA is also currently testing miles of Pottsburg Creek between AC Skinner Parkway and Beach Boulevard.
“Anytime there is an impact, we have concerns, we work to restore it, if not (make it) better,” Boyce said.
JEA officials say the investigation into the official cause of the broken pipe and sewage leak should wrap up by the end of the week.
Cox Media Group
