Pinellas County Utilities crews have been able to stop a leak in the 30-inch sewer force main that broke Tuesday.
- Sewage leak stopped in Palm Harbor
- Pinellas Utility crews responded to break at Alderman Road and Omaha Street
- 1,000 gallons of raw sewage had been flowing per minute
The sewer line broke Tuesday morning near Alderman Road and Omaha Street in Palm Harbor.
The cause of the break remains unknown but officials did say about 1,000 gallons of raw sewage was flowing per minute into a neighborhood retention pond.
Crews will continue to use pump trucks to lessen pressure on the system until a repair can be made, officials said. That work is expected to continue to take place Wednesday.
"Crossing my fingers," area resident Susan Murphy said. "Saying a little prayer and hope it gets resolved for the safety of the community."
Pinellas County Utilities is advising residents there is a potential for raw sewage to be in standing water in affected neighborhoods and adjacent water bodies.
Untreated sewage has the potential to transmit disease. If there is any physical contact, residents are advised to please follow good hygiene practices, including thorough hand washing.
Meanwhile, the pump stations affected are in the vicinity south of Bee Pond Road, west of U.S. 19, and north of Curlew Road in Palm Harbor.
Residents in the impacted area are advised to limit use of toilets, showers, laundry, dishwashing or other optional water use.
Utilities updates will be posted on the Pinellas County website at www.pinellascounty.org and on social media.