Another Raw Sewage Spill Reported In Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID - Representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) responded Friday - for the second time in less than a week - to the scene of a local raw sewage spill in Lake Placid.

Mayor Tom Katsanis was at both spills. He said on Friday that a recurring spill at 824 U.S. 27, about 75 feet behind the Quicklube Wash of Lake Placid, posed a safety hazard. Last week's Plaza Avenue spill was quickly contained.

"There's a lid over a hole and for some kids messing around, it could be very dangerous," said Katsanis. "It looks like someone could open it up."

On Friday, Mike Wood said the leak has been a problem as long as he's been operating five years at the site.

Wood complained several times officially about what he said on Friday was a two by two foot, three to four inch deep pool of raw sewage at a public easement. Spills occur about eight months apart and last for about three days, said Wood.

The businessman also noted that foul odors were noticeable to both customers and staff, though the situation has not hurt his sales.

Gary Freeman, utilities director, said the ongoing situation was dangerous for another reason - for at least the past six years - probable live wires have been exposed, with no cover or casing.

"For somebody who doesn't know what they're doing ... your imagination could take you anywhere," said Freeman.

The "wet-well," or lift station behind the Quicklube is part of wastewater facility owned and operated by Highlands Utilities Corporation.

Jim Abels, a Highlands Utilities supervisor, quickly responded to both overflows. He said there should be no more leaks at the most recent site, after completing what he said was a "permanent fix."

Abels blamed the most recent overflow of effluent on vandals who he said dismantled a portion of the system. He also said that adding locks would prevent similar occurrences.

"Anytime you have mechanical parts, anything can happen," said Abels.

Highlands Utilities Corporation serves more than 100 customers, both inside and outside the town. The most recent incident likely occurred just outside the town's border. Last week's Plaza Avenue spill was cleaned up quickly, with no reoccurrence.

The most recent spill was located at a lift system. A reservoir holds sewage, and when the level of effluent reaches a certain height, two submersible pumps send the effluent to a treatment plant.

Elijah Fleishauer, external affairs manager of the FDEP South District, said Friday that Highlands Utility Corporation, and owner Dixon Pugh, might face civil penalties, though at this point, for the current spill, no action was yet taken.

"We've had some issues with Pugh in the past," said Fleishauer, who also said that the company was cited in the past for similar infractions.

Debra Worley sparked the recent investigation. She said Friday that action is critical.

"It's not just a health and safety issue," said Worley. The former council woman was concerned that regular seasonal rains might lead to sewage run-offs into area lakes.

Fleishauer described what he thought might be at the core of the problems.

"It's not necessarily an increasing with age (of infrastructure), said Fleishauer. "With increasing population, there's more hookups and more people. For more people you have more business and you have more problems with more business."