ST. PETERSBURG, FL — About 96,000 gallons of reclaimed water spilled into the 2600 block of 61st Avenue S. after a line break on March 20, according to a wastewater discharge notification from the city of St. Petersburg.
Most of the water, about 78,000 gallons, flowed into the bay, the city said.
The site of the spill was cleaned and sanitized.
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The area of the wastewater discharge is about a mile from Maximo Park, which sits on 70 acres where Boca Ciega Bay joins Tampa Bay.
Reclaimed or reuse water is highly treated wastewater used for other purposes, such as irrigation.
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It’s not considered drinking water and shouldn’t be used for drinking or food preparation, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Reclaimed water is considered safe and there aren’t any known cases of health problems caused by “the reuse of properly treated and disinfected reclaimed water,” Pinellas County said.
Still, the county recommends that immunocompromised people avoid being outside when irrigating with reclaimed water “as a precaution.”
Water reuse programs are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Patch has reached out to the city for additional information.
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