Unknown Amount of Sewage Discharged into Manatee River

Suncoast Waterkeeper made a post today on Facebook that raw and partially treated sewage is being intentionally discharged into the Manatee River at Bradenton’s water reclamation facility. While the city hasn’t disclosed the total amount of the discharge, so far, the bypass is “greater than 1,000” gallons, according to a report the city filed with the state on Tuesday. In the meantime, the organization has issued “a no-swim advisory until further notice” for the river.

The linked report above states the unfiltered discharge began on Tuesday of this week and apparently continues. Important to note the above report has a category listed under General Conditions 20.b.(1)(h) - CLEAN-UP Actions Taken: and the County’s response - N/A.”

If you’re not going to swim in the Manatee River, logically you would not eat anything caught from the River either. However, the article does not have the ‘do not eat’ statement involved.