Updated: April 29, 2024
Protecting Florida’s environment and the health and safety of our residents and visitors is DEP’s top priority and we take every unauthorized discharge seriously.
Late on April 9, 2024, DEP was notified by the State Watch Office of a wastewater release near the intersection of Florida Mango Road and Garden Drive in Lake Worth after a private contractor working in the area hit a 36" wastewater force main.
DEP advised Lake Worth Beach Utilities to take any and all actions to cease this spill and, early on April 13, utility crews installed a temporary line bypass to divert the flow around the damaged section of the force main and cease the discharge. Lake Worth Beach Utilities continues to monitor the temporary bypass as response efforts and additional repairs continue.
Staff from both DEP and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) have been onsite to provide technical assistance and oversee response activities.
When the spill was ongoing, berms were installed in the L-10 canal east and west of the spill location to isolate the spill within a ½ mile section of the canal. Now that the bypass is in place, water within the isolated section of the L-10 is being pumped directly into the bypass line, which is then transferred to the wastewater treatment plant for full treatment. Chlorine-based water treatment activities are also being conducted within the isolated area to help pre-treat the concentrated wastewater that is being pumped and placed back into the wastewater system.
In addition, aerators remain in operation to reduce odors and prevent bacterial growth.
On April 25, Lake Worth Beach Utilities successfully dewatered the area surrounding the broken 36” force main, exposing the exact location of the break and allowing crews to begin their final repair activities.
DOH in Palm Beach County has issued a health advisory alerting the public to avoid contact with area waterways, including:
The microbes in fecal bacteria could cause gastrointestinal issues and other conditions. Anyone who has come into contact with water from the affected water bodies should wash the exposed area thoroughly. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to disease.
DEP is committed to keeping residents informed and holding all responsible parties accountable for any violations of Florida’s wastewater rules. Once first response efforts are complete, DEP will conduct its regulatory review.
Water Quality Sampling
The City of Lake Worth Beach initiated water quality sampling near the point of entry and in surrounding waterbodies on April 10, 2024. Fifteen different sites up- and downstream from the spill are being monitored.
Maps depicting the city’s sampling locations as well as a spreadsheet with the sampling results can be found here.
Although bacteria levels have decreased considerably, DOH’s Health Advisory remains in effect for the surface water bodies located within the red dashed line on the map provided below:
Q: What is the cause of the spill?
A: A private contractor ruptured a 36” force main owned and maintained by Lake Worth Beach Utilities when installing fiber optic cables.
Q: How much sewage has spilled since the break started?
A: DEP is working to estimate the volume of sewage that was released. Based on the information provided to DEP by the Lake Worth Beach Utilities, it is estimated that the sewage was discharging at a rate of 2 million gallons per day to the L-10 canal prior to the temporary bypass being installed on April 13.
At this time, the discharge has ceased.
Q: Where is the sewage spilling and what areas have been impacted?
A: Lake Worth Beach Utilities worked in conjunction with the Lake Worth Drainage District to install berms in the L-10 canal east and west of the spill’s point of entry in an effort to contain the discharged sewage. DOH in Palm Beach County issued a health advisory alerting the public to avoid contact with area waterways.
Water sampling is being conducted and results of the sampling efforts to date can be found here.
Q: What is DEP’s role when responding to unauthorized discharge?
A: In the event of a discharge, DEP responds with a three-pronged approach: (1) work with the facility to identify any releases and ensure the release is stopped as quickly as possible; (2) gather and analyze information surrounding the circumstances of the reported incident to evaluate it from a regulatory perspective to determine if there were any violations; and (3) identify any further corrective actions needed including possible enforcement.
Q: Are there expected long-term environmental impacts?
A: Response and clean-up activities are ongoing to mitigate potential public health and environmental impacts as a result of this spill.
Water within the isolated section of the L-10 is being pumped directly into the bypass line, which is then transferred to the wastewater treatment plant for full treatment. Chlorine-based water treatment activities are also being conducted within the isolated area to help pre-treat the water. In addition, aerators are operating within the canal to reduce odors and prevent bacterial growth.
Water quality sampling remains ongoing.
Q: Have the spills completely stopped? Have repairs been completed?
A: At this time, the discharge has ceased, and the utility is working to complete repairs to the damaged 36” force main.
For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, please contact DOH-Palm Beach at 561-837-5900 or chd50contactus@flhealth.gov.
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