Bradenton says wastewater plant spilled 1 million gallons of sewage in Manatee River
The City of Bradenton has reported another major release of sewage into the Manatee River as problems continue at its troubled wastewater plant.
In a recent report, city staff said that the plant experienced a “solids overload” on Jan. 10, prompting plant operators to bypass partially treated sewage into the Manatee River. An estimated 450,000 gallons were released into the river before the bypass was closed on Jan. 11, according to the report.
The wastewater plant is a chronic source of pollution for the Manatee River, which led to a costly lawsuit that required Bradenton officials to meet strict water quality standards and spend about $8 million to upgrade the facility.
The Bradenton Herald previously reported on sewage spills totaling over 136 million gallons after 2024’s busy hurricane season overwhelmed the wastewater plant. Since then, city officials have reported additional spills totaling more than 1.2 million gallons, including this weekend’s spill.
After settling a lawsuit over its frequent pollution in 2022, the city is putting millions of dollars into efforts to overhaul the plant and improve its wastewater system. It has also contracted with a private consulting company to improve operations at its plant.
But in the meantime, inadequate infrastructure and staff errors continue to cause spills that bring issues for residents and the environment.
No fishing and swimming advisory for Manatee River
The city has posted warning signs along the Manatee River that advise the water is “not safe for fishing or swimming until further notice.”
The warnings are a requirement of the city’s settlement with the environmental advocacy group Suncoast Waterkeeper.
The settlement also requires the city to pay financial penalties for spills and other violations at the wastewater plant. The proceeds of the fines go toward water quality restoration projects.
Bradenton reports several sewage spills
Since November, the City of Bradenton has reported the following sewage spills:
- Bradenton reported a discharge of 6,000 gallons of raw sewage into the Manatee River on Nov. 6 when a staff error caused a spill on the grounds of the wastewater plant, some of which escaped into a storm drain.
- Bradenton reported a discharge of 297,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into the Manatee River on Nov. 17 when a staff error caused chlorine to fall below the limit needed to disinfect wastewater.
- Bradenton reported a discharge of 525,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into the Manatee River on Nov. 21 when the same issue with the chlorine happened again.
- Bradenton reported a discharge of 2,000 gallons of raw sewage into Wares Creek on Nov. 21 due to a lift station malfunction.
- Bradenton reported a discharge of 450,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into the Manatee River between Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 when the wastewater plant was overwhelmed with solids.
- Bradenton also reported that wastewater treated at its plant exceeded limits for nitrogen in November and December.
In reports filed with the state, city staff continue to promise that improvements are coming to the plant.
“The City is working with our contracted consultant, Jacob’s, to move more solids out of the facility more effectively,” city staff wrote in a report after the weekend spill. “There is a meeting scheduled for 01/16 with the contracted hauler to get additional trucks to help in this process. The City is also developing a master plan of facility improvements and is currently building an additional clarifier and injection well.”
