No-swim advisory in effect after 15 million gallons of sewage spilled into Intracoastal off Boynton

An estimated 15 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Intracoastal Waterway due to a broken pipe last week, and a no-swim advisory still remains in effect off Boynton Beach.

The spill from the broken 20-inch sanitary pipe began July 3 in the Intracoastal near East Ocean Avenue in Boynton Beach. It was fixed July 6.

Chelsea Sanabia, a Boynton Beach spokesperson, said in an email Thursday morning the number was 15 million gallons, an update to the figures the city provided Wednesday.

“The city has not seen a spill of this extent,” she wrote.

While drinking water is not affected, residents and visitors near the area are cautioned to avoid the water near East Ocean Avenue because it poses health risks, given the presence of fecal matter in the water.

Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Thomas Turkin said he was fishing shortly after the spill happened and noticed a foul odor.

The broken pipe was old and deteriorated, he said.

While the spill was fixed, the pipe requires a replacement, so the city ordered an emergency repair. The full replacement won’t be finished for another six to eight weeks, Turkin said.

“Because we are so close to the water, and because we are in a flooding zone out there, and I am anticipating a busy hurricane season, it is very important for us to understand that we need to invest in local infrastructure rather than having a focal point on rapid development,” he said.

According to the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, the city of Boynton Beach is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to test and clean up the contaminated water.

“Anyone who comes into contact with the water in this area should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking,” the department of health wrote in a release. “Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to disease, so every precaution should be taken if needed.”

Signage was in place in the surrounding area of the spill, according to city officials. When the advisory and health alert will be lifted is unknown.

State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman said she and her family were enjoying the water by boat right around the time the alerts were issued, which she believes could be done more seamlessly.

Gossett-Seidman said she is filing legislation, called the “Safe Waterways Act,” that would require the Department of Health to adopt rules protecting the health of people using beach waters and public bathing place, issue health advisories when a body of water does not meet certain water-quality standards, closing bodies of water that fail to meet standards and establishing a public database for reporting the presence of fecal bacteria in bodies of water, if the existence of such is not already in place.

“We need a central location to advocate for immediate reports of contamination,” she said. “Would you want to send your kids out on a boogie board in contaminated water? No.”