Bradenton and four environmental groups navigated a settlement to a federal lawsuit over repeat sewage spills in the Manatee River.
Suncoast Waterkeeper, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, ManaSota-88 and Our Children’s Earth Foundation brought the lawsuit against the city last year under the Clean Water Act.
The groups said Bradenton over the past five years illegally bypassed more than 160 million gallons of partially treated sewage away from full treatment before discharging it into the Manatee River.
The groups also said Bradenton discharged millions more gallons of reclaimed and raw sewage from its sewage system, which suffers structural deficiencies.
The settlement sets deadlines for improvements to the plant, including increased pumping and treatment capacity and upgrading disinfection capabilities.
Also, the city must address issues in the collection system and update its management, operation and maintenance programs.
Another provision in the settlement: Bradenton must invest at least $220,000 in projects to improve local waters and estuarine habitats.
The environmental groups announced the settlement May 12.
“Wastewater systems and water infrastructure are woefully outdated in too many communities throughout Florida,” said Suncoast Waterkeeper founder Justin Bloom. “The historic lack of investment in our infrastructure harms the health of our communities and waterways. This settlement guarantees that the city of Bradenton will make much-needed upgrades in their wastewater and sewage treatment system.”
— Lisa Neff
