Approximately 14,000 gallons of raw wastewater spilled into Sarasota Bay on Sunday after a valve shifted on a pipe near the Ringling Causeway, according to Florida environmental officials.

Just before 11:30 a.m., Sarasota city officials received a report of water coming up out of the ground at West John Ringling Causeway Park. City staff found that the concrete vault over a 2-inch air release valve had shifted due to soil erosion, likely as a result of hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. That shift broke the saddle off the 14-inch wastewater force main, allowing untreated wastewater to flow into the bay.

City workers installed a clamp over the hole, stopping the spill at around 4 p.m. They then applied lime, washed down the area, and vacuumed up the remaining material.

A spill sign has been placed at the location, and water samples are being collected.

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