Brevard Sun

UPDATE 3/27/23

TITUSVILLE, FL - (March 27, 2023) – Public Works staff continues to investigate the cause of the fish kill in a small pond located south of its Osprey Water Reclamation Plant in north Titusville. Sandbag barriers remain in place to prevent contaminated water from leaving the pond and entering the Indian River Lagoon.  Water Quality Samples continue to show low levels of E. coli and Fecal Coliform in the Indian River Lagoon in that area.

Public Works Staff continues to investigate the force main and sewer infrastructure in the area, so far, no indication of leaks have been found in this area. Inspections will continue until the cause of the fish kill has been determined or the E. coli and Fecal Coliform levels in the pond reduce, indicating that wastewater is no longer entering the pond. 

Pumping operations from the affected pond to the Blue Heron Wastewater treatment plan have begun and are expected to continue until the pond water contamination levels return to typical retention pond levels. 

They City will continue testing the Indian River Lagoon in six areas; one at the area where the pond would outfall to the Lagoon, one upstream from where the pond would outfall to the Lagoon, and one downstream from where the pond would outfall to the Lagoon. The City will also continue testing in three different areas within the pond itself. The lab results the City has received so far are in the tables below. 

POSTED 3/24/23

TITUSVILLE, FL - (March 24, 2023) – On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the City of Titusville learned that a fish kill in a small pond located south of its Osprey Water Reclamation Plant in north Titusville resulted from sewage contaminants. Public Works staff discovered the fish kill on Wednesday afternoon and immediately launched an investigation into its cause. 

Water quality samples of the pond were taken by City’s laboratory staff for analyses on Wednesday. Analyses were performed by inhouse laboratory staff. Results from the testing, which were received Thursday, confirmed the likely presence of sewage in the pond. One of the possibilities is that a sewer force main, which is scheduled for replacement later this summer and is located next to the pond, may have a leak. The City is working on inspecting this force main to see if this is the source of the sewage.

Immediately after learning of the fish kill, the City installed sandbag barriers to prevent any outfall from the pond to the Indian River Lagoon. In addition, crews posted signage along the Lagoon from the pond south to Sand Point Park notifying the public that a fish kill had occurred and that the cause was being investigated. The public was warned against potential hazards that could exist. 

According to Kevin Cook, P.E., Titusville Public Works Director, “Protecting our residents and protecting the Indian River Lagoon are our utmost priorities. As soon as the incident was discovered, we immediately took steps to investigate the cause and mitigate any environmental impact.” 

Initial water sample results from the IRL indicate minimal if any discharge from the spill to the Lagoon. According to Cook, the City will continue to sample along the Lagoon to ensure water quality. City crews began pumping the water out on Thursday in order to expose the main and determine the exact cause of the incident.

Original source can be found here.