UPDATE: Broken pipe sends sewage into Hudson Bayou

About 200 gallons of raw sewage is believed to have spilled into Hudson Bayou after a force main break on Osprey Avenue this afternoon.

A contractor, Westra Inc., working on a lift-station project in the area accidentally broke the 14-inch pipe at about 1:30 p.m near the bridge just south of Mound Street.

Westra and city crews have contained the spill and are now working to repair the break.

It’s estimated those repairs will take about 24 hours to perform. Crews will work around the clock until the work is complete.

The accident will not affect traffic, because it occurred in an area where the road was already closed for construction.

The project to move the lift station from the Hudson Bayou neighborhood to the intersection of U.S. 301 and U.S. 41 was being done to prevent sewage spills into the bayou.

Health advisory signs will be posted near Hudson Bayou.

The city of Sarasota is urging residents to minimize their water usage until approximately 11 p.m., while crews work to isolate and repair the break. Reducing the flow into the system will assist with the repair process.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].