PALM BAY, Fla. — After days of heavy rainfall in Brevard County, Palm Bay residents are being warned not to swim or fish in Turkey Creek because of 4 million gallons of wastewater discharge.
Turkey Creek runs about four miles between Palm Bay and Malabar, and is part of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary.
Officials told Brevard County reporter Melonie Holt that Palm Bay utilities is still testing the water to determine the extent of the contamination.
But initial results are above the allowable limit for such a discharge. An advisory is likely to remain in place for the next few days.
Palm Bay officials are warning residents to appreciate the creek’s beauty from a distance.
“It's always better safe than sorry,” said boater Juan Rodriguez.
According to Palm Bay utilities, its treatment facility experienced a larger than average volume of wastewater and stormwater on site because of recent heavy rainfall.
The facility reached its storage and treatment capacity, and when that happened, wastewater overflowed into a canal that feeds Turkey Creek.
“It's very important because it's in our environment we have to protect and make sure it's clean,” said resident Loretta Helmrich, who lives along Turkey Creek.
She said she doesn't even let her grass clippings enter the creek, so she's definitely concerned about the potential impact of partially treated waste water.
Testing for fecal counts is currently underway, and the advisory will be lifted once test results are satisfactory.
And that does ease some concern for residents like Debbie Brinkmann.
“The water treatment facility tests the water quite frequently,” Brinkmann said.
If the rain doesn't let up, the overflow will continue.
The city is working with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health to ensure the overflow doesn't pose a health hazard.