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Ben Sorensen
District 4 Commissioner
Office of the Mayor and City
Commission
City of Fort Lauderdale
954-828-5003
BSorensen@fortlauderdale.gov
Juan Saavedra
Chief of Staff
Commissioner Ben Sorensen
Phone: 954.828.5028
JuSaavedra@fortlauderdale.gov
CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE
14
Commissioner’s Message
Neighbors,
would like to share some good news with everyone about the 54-inch sewer main
repair. During the overnight hours, crews were able to install a line stop on each
Iside of the damaged portion of the pipe along with a 36-inch bypass line. At
approximately 3:04 am on 12/18/19, the line stops were activated, the valves on
the bypass line were opened, and the sewage flow was diverted around the
damaged section of pipe and into the bypass pipe. The bypass line is functioning
properly, the wastewater collection system is back online, and sewage is no longer
spilling from the pipe or reaching the Tarpon River. Tanker and vac truck operations
have been discontinued and pumps and diversion lines have been demobilized.
With the system stabilized, work is beginning on repairs to the damaged portion of
the 54-inch pipe. Crews plan to dig an access pit around the pipe so it can be cut
out, removed, and replaced with a new section. While the pipe replacement moves
forward, cleanup activities and site remediation work will continue.
Some of the construction equipment will begin being removed from the site. Our
environmental contractor, Cliff Berry, Inc., (CBI) arrived on site on Wednesday,
12/11 and will continue to clean and sanitize the affected area. They are
disinfecting and pressure washing public roads, sidewalks, swale areas, and
driveways of impacted properties. They have also deployed mitigation techniques
to minimize odor concerns. The current plan is to address the affected homeowner
properties first and then remediate Hector Park, which will be used as a staging
area for CBI’s remediation activities. CBI will remain in the area until we are
satisfied that restoration of the site is complete.
While the overflow did not enter individual homes, we are aware that it did run on
to several properties. Neighbors who have incurred expenses or suffered damage
related to the sewage overflow can make a claim by calling the City’s Risk
Management Division at 954-828-5177.
Operations to help restore the Tarpon River remain ongoing. Ten aerators have
operated 24/7 in various points in the Tarpon River and the New River to help
improve water quality.
CBI has had three boats patrolling the canal system in and around Rio Vista during
daylight hours, beginning at 8:00 am and operating until dark. They will continue
monitoring waterways and conducting skimming and debris removal as part of our
cleanup efforts until the remediation is complete.
Thank you all for your patience as we continue to remedy this situation. We also
continue to work closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Their representatives toured the site on 12/17 and complimented our staff on the
measures that have been implemented on site, and the contingency plans put in
place as part of our response and remediation efforts.
In the meantime, it’s important to remember that a precautionary advisory for
recreational activities in the Tarpon River and parts of the New River remains in effect.
The boundaries for the advisory are Broward Boulevard to the north, Poinciana
Drive to the east, SE 15 Street to the south, and SW 18 Avenue to the west. Water-
related activities including swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding,
rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com