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Overturned wastewater truck shuts down Beachline ramp in Brevard

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — An overturned truck has shut down a ramp leading from US 1 to S.R. 528 (Beachline) in Brevard County Tuesday afternoon.

A truck hauling chemically treated water for a new power plant overturned, forcing officials to close the ramp that leads from US 1 to westbound S.R. 528.

Investigators said the driver of the tanker took the curve too fast and the weight of the 6,000 gallons inside was too much.

The truck overturned as it was about to get on the Beachline in Cocoa. No one was injured.

Fire crews said the wastewater has some chemical agents mixed into it and they want to keep it from getting into the ground but hazmat crews don't consider it any more dangerous than household cleaners.

"The actual tank did not break open, just one of the top seals has cracked open some, so it's leaking 3 or 4 gallons a minute," said Lt. Chip Shearer of the Cocoa Fire Department.

Emergency crews are on the scene and expect the ramp to be closed for some time as they clean up the leaking liquid.

Crews are trying to drain the water from the overturned truck before they can get it upright and get the  onramp back open.

Crews said once the truck is drained a contractor will have to come out and remove the top layer of soil in compliance with environmental regulations.

WFTV was told the driver is likely to be cited for taking the curve too fast.

WFTV.com will update this story as more information becomes available.

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