Cracked pipe causes 4M gallons of raw sewage to flow into Pinellas neighborhood

In unincorporated Pinellas County, a cracked sewer pipe led to a massive spill of over 4 million gallons of raw sewage on August 28, flooding the neighborhood around 53rd Avenue North and 110th Street North. This incident is particularly alarming as it marks the third sewage leak affecting the area in just five years. Barry Medlock, a local resident, recounted the distressing scene as sewage gushed into his garage while he was at work, highlighting the ongoing issues with the aging infrastructure. County officials confirmed that crews responded promptly, managing to control the spill by early afternoon. Despite their efforts, wastewater overflowed into surrounding coastal waterways, raising environmental concerns.

About five homes were impacted, with Medlock's property suffering the most damage. The county has committed to making improvements to prevent future leaks, but residents remain apprehensive about the reliability of their sewage systems. The situation underscores the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades in the community.