CSR2 assigned this issue to Wastewater3

Thank you for drawing our attention to this apparent discharge to surface waters. It is unlikely that this was a discharge from the City's sanitary sewer system as there have been no reported stoppages or service problems in this area, but obviously something unacceptable has occurred. The sewer system in the area of Hops and Props will be investigated thoroughly to attempt to determine the cause of this incident. The description of the event is inconsistent with typical domestic sewage, however, commercial dishwashing and/or grease mixed with wastewater could produce the observed conditions (foam and foul odors). Our Wastewater Collection Division and Environmental Compliance Division will investigate this to attempt to determine the cause and sample the area to determine if there has been any negative impact to the environment or if a potential hazard to public health is present.

Research on this complaint indicates that the Wastewater Collection Division's Emergency Response crew responded to an odor complaint in this location 2 days ago (Oct. 18). Their observations confirmed the severe odor ("smelled like there was something dead") but they observed no irregularities with the sewer system in the area. They did observe large quantities of seaweed (dead) which had washed up into the corners of 2nd Ave N & Bayshore Dr. It is not at all uncommon for decomposing seaweed (Lyngbya for example) to create severe odors that can exceed wastewater in terms of producing foul odors.

We believe this (rotting seaweed) to be the cause of this particular incident, however, an additional survey of the wastewater collection system (include the restaurant grease interceptors) in the area will be performed as a precaution, and a grab sample of the surface water will be taken and tested to ensure that the water quality is not hazardous to public health. (confirmation that no discharge of raw wastewater has occurred).

The Wastewater Crew that responded to a reported sewage problem in this area (they were there on Oct. 16 - not Oct. 18th as indicated above) observed pressure washing at the Hops and Props facility. The run-off from this process was going into the bay. This could account for the "white foam" observed by the originator of this See-Fix-Click complaint. The rotting seaweed could account for the odors. Comments on this issue will be completed after results of analysis of the surface water sample are available.

The issue that you reported previously has been addressed by the City, and this open work order is now closed. Please feel free to submit future requests to us via SeeClickFix St. Pete, and thanks again!