Don’t drink the tap water or swim in Palma Sola Bay after wastewater spill, officials say

A precautionary “No Skin Contact” advisory is in place for Palma Sola Bay after more than one million gallons of wastewater was estimated to have spilled from a broken force main this week. Residents who live near Palma Sola also are being advised to boil their water for the time being.

“A No Skin Contact” advisory indicates that water contact may pose an increased risk of infectious diseases to humans,” read a release from the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County. Any activities — whether its fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding or swimming —that could create the opportunity for skin contact or ingestion is advised against.

Palma Sola Bay is situated between Manatee Avenue West and Cortez Road West. The advisory is in place until testing has been completed to meet federal water safety standards. The water is regularly tested for enteric bacteria, which can cause disease, infections or rashes. The last time Palma Sola Bay was tested was on Monday.

A tweet from Manatee County Government on Friday afternoon showed a boil water notice for an area between 75th Street West and Palma Sola Boulevard and Alhambra Drive and 19th Avenue West. Officials recommend using bottled water until the boil notice has been lifted.

A nearly 40-year-old cast iron force main was broken in the process of replacing it at Cortez Road West and 66th Street West late Monday. This led to a nearly 60-hour wastewater spill. As trucks tried to collect and transport the overflow, crews worked to fix the break, which was completed by 7 a.m. Thursday. The county utilities department estimated that at least 1.5 million gallons had been released, some of which had gone into Palma Sola Bay.

Those with questions about the boil notice or the wastewater spill can call 941-792-8811 ext. 5268 or ext. 5216 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Don’t drink the tap water or swim in Palma Sola Bay after wastewater spill, officials say."