DEP assesses sewage spills on a case-by-case basis when determining whether to fine a utility or require other actions. The state agency considers how serious the violation was; was it a first-time violator or a chronic offender; was the sewage release inadvertent or beyond the utility’s “reasonable control,” Ashley Gardner, DEP spokeswoman, said via email. DEP also considers whether “any damage to the environment be undone or remediated quickly,” Gardner said.
“In this case, it was determined that the spill was caused by a split in the line that was out of the facility’s control, and they repaired it in a timely manner with minimal impact to the environment,” Gardner said. “The department is waiting on a few final pieces of information in order to complete its review of the incident and ensure that no further corrective actions will be needed.”
Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @JWayEnviro
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