The City of Palm Bay has successfully contained the sewer forcemain break near 1050 Clearmont Street NE. Cathcart Construction Company completed emergency repairs to the damaged 20-inch sewer main late last night. Environmental assessment and coordination efforts began immediately following containment, with ongoing collaboration between the City, the contractor, and environmental specialists.
Currently, vacuum trucks remain on-site and are actively working to clean both the pond adjacent to the damaged pipe and the swale that runs parallel to it. To isolate the affected section, two 20-inch line stops were installed on the forcemain, along with a bypass to ensure uninterrupted flow. Following the installation, crews made the necessary pipe repairs using 20-inch long sleeves and replacement sections of pipe. Once the structural repairs were complete, the area was backfilled with clean soil.
Remediation efforts are also underway in Turkey Creek, where work is taking place within a designated turbidity curtain area. Overnight, the contractor began remediation efforts to Turkey Creek utilizing the vacuum trucks on site and placement of Turbidity Booms.
Earlier this morning, the contractor sent personnel into the creek to perform manual skimming and net dragging to collect any remaining discharge material. The collected material is being transported to vacuum trucks for removal.
To ensure environmental safety and protect public health, a City Utilities team will collect the first round of water samples by noon today. Five designated locations will be tested on a 24-hour cycle, with water quality monitoring continuing over the next three weeks. The contractor will also use their environmental team to conduct water quality testing in and around the affected area.
As previously stated, the City’s drinking water supply remains safe and unaffected by this incident. However, residents are reminded to avoid contact with Turkey Creek and surrounding waterways while restoration and monitoring efforts continue.
Further updates will be provided as needed. The citizen hotline 321-726-5683 will have the most current information.
December 20, 2023 CDAB Minutes