Wastewater spill in Dunnellon; testing underway at site and beyond

DUNNELLON — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has announced that roughly 1,000 gallons of wastewater spilled Monday night from a City of Dunnellon lift station.

A technician received a call at 8:30 p.m. Monday about the leakage at 11730 Cherokee Drive, which is within the City of Dunnellon collection system.

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State officials said that, in reviewing the area, it was discovered that the breakers for the main power panel had tripped, creating a power loss to the pumps. That led to a backup and what was described as a discharge from the collection system. It also disabled the emergency alarms.

State officials estimate about 1,000 gallons were released onto the nearby grounds and to a nearby storm drain that leads to the Withlacoochee River.

The technician was able reset the panel and the collection system. The station then immediately began to pump down and the discharge stopped by 9 p.m.

"Sampling will begin this (Tuesday) morning at the point of discharge, a location upstream and downstream," the state DEP said in a bulletin. "The affected area of the grounds has been limed and the area marked off at this time. The operator will continue to monitor and report as required." 

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb