Pollution alert: Rain causes sewer overflow at wastewater treatment plant in Miami

Officials warn against boating, fishing, swimming in Virginia Key, Key Biscayne beaches

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department’s Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant reported a sewer spill on Monday in Virginia Key. (Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department reported Wednesday afternoon that heavy rain caused a sewer overflow at the Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant in Virginia Key.

The sewer overflow of about 200,000 gallons prompted Miami-Dade County officials to issue no-swim advisories for the beaches in Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, including Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

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Miami-Dade officials issued a no-swim alert on Monday affecting the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne. (Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

About 10,000 gallons spilled from the plant into the Shrimper’s Lagoon polluting Virginia Key Beach, Crandon Beach, and Key Biscayne Beach, according to Miami-Dade County officials.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County asked the public to avoid water recreational activities, such as fishing and boating, in the areas under the no-swim advisory.

Miami-Dade officials issued a no-swim advisory on Monday at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. The advisory follows a sewer spill from a plant in Virginia Key. (Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

Officials warned the no-swim advisories will remain in effect until the state’s Department of Health and the county’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources water samples are clear for two days in a row.

To report water and sewer emergencies in Miami-Dade County, call the 24-hour call center at 305-274-9272. For more information about Florida’s marine beach water quality, visit this page.

This is a developing story.

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About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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