JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Residents in Riverside and Avondale are warned after JEA said more than 31,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the St. Johns River.
The warning was issued Monday.
“Neighbors were pulling trash cans up, because of the water and sewage overflowing onto the curb,” said Scott Smith.
Smith said that’s what he saw when he got home Sunday night.
“It was up to people’s tires and it smelled horrible. Like an overwhelming toilet,” said Smith.
“Exactly like, when your toilet overflows, it was horrible, you can barely walk outside,” said Smith.
JEA placed signs in the Riverside area warning people that more than 31,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the St. Johns River, just behind their homes.
“It’s a lot of sewage,” said Jimmy Orth with the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
Orth said the recent sewage spill is not good for the river.
“It’s just adding more pollution to an already polluted river. When I say polluted, it means we’re not meeting water quality standards in the St. Johns River,” said Orth.
Although JEA cleaned up the mess, the residents believe it may happen again.
The St. Johns Riverkeeper said the recent court settlement forced JEA crews to perform routine maintenance on the sewage pipes and replace them if need be.
Orth said his team will be checking things out Tuesday morning.