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Home » Home » Precautionary Boil Water Notice Issued for Portions of Northwest Palm Bay

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – City of Palm Bay officials have issued for precautionary boil water notice for portions of Northwest Palm Bay.

Customers may have experienced a water service disruption due to a water main break. Approximately 4,900 customers were impacted in the NW section of the City.

Water service has been restored and a “Precautionary Boil Water Notice” is hereby issued for the addresses in Port Malabar Unit 44 area, Avery Springs, Brentwood Lakes, Malabar Lakes West, Tillman Lakes, Sanabel Cove, Parkside West, Madalyn Landings, St. John’s Preserves, Palm Vista, and Timber’s subdivisions; and Heritage High School and Discovery Elementary.

Therefore, as a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled.

A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. Additionally, bottled water may be used as an alternative.

This “Precautionary Boil Water Notice” will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. Typically boil water notices remain in effect for two to three days.

Affected customers will be notified once the boil water notice has been lifted.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Palm Bay Utilities Department at 321-952-3410 or the after-hours emergency line at 321-952-3478.

For updates, you may also visit the department’s website at www.pbud.org or call the Citizen Hotline at 321-726-5683.

Hurricane Milton spurred thousands of gallons of raw sewage spills in Palm Bay and in Titusville, after the storm dumped a foot or more of rain in some parts of the Space Coast.

Much more sewage spilled during Hurricane Ian in 2020, including at least 7.2 million gallons of treated wastewater from a county sewer plant in south beaches. But every sewage spill adds to the nitrogen and phosphorus that can spur toxic algae blooms, and the pathogens in the water put those who enter the lagoon at risk of infections and illnesses.

Titusville City Council approved a $70,000 settlement agreement earlier this year to resolve a lawsuit over a boy who became paralyzed after paddle boarding in the Indian River Lagoon near a city sewage spill in late 2020.

How many sewage spills did Hurricane Milton cause in Brevard?

More: Ian sewage spillsFlorida's aging infrastructure unleashed untold gallons of raw sewage during Ian

There were at least five sewage spills in Palm Bay and one that was significant in Titusville, in addition to several other much smaller sewage leaks in the county during Milton.

According to Florida Department of Environmental Protection documents, here's how Milton's more significant sewage spills played out:

Palm Bay spilled more than an 460,000:

Due to erosion caused by Hurricane Milton, on Oct. 11 the eight-inch force main was undermined and collapsed at 1540 Riverside Drive in Titusville, which resulted in a sewer spill of about 60,000 gallons of sewage going into the Indian River Lagoon. The pipe was isolated and repaired.

"The safety and well-being of our residents are our top priority," said Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, said in a prepared statement. "This event underscores the importance of maintaining and improving our infrastructure to withstand the challenges posed by weather and erosion. We are committed to ensuring these vital systems continue to serve our community reliably."

Watchdog groups have warned for decades, though, that DEP treats sewage violations with kid gloves to keep development humming along and isn't forcing utilities to maintain extra storage capacity, sufficient backup power and reliable lift stations and piping.

Also, many local politicians want to keep impact/sewer fees low. The result is that when sewage spills happen, they are seldom — if ever — adequately addressed, clean water advocates say.

But Palm Bay officials assure they are on the sewage problem.

The city is embarking on more than $32.6 million of current and near future approved sewage improvement projects, including upgrades to multiple lift stations, lining pipes to help keep groundwater and stormwater from infiltrating sewer pipes, installing permanent bypass pumps, and building a new sewer plant.

The city also is investing in technology to provide advance notice of impending wastewater backups, including smart manhole covers to provide notification of blockages in pipes, city officials said.

Contact Waymer at (321) 261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro.

Home » Home » City of Palm Bay Responds to Stormwater Pipe Failure, Prioritizes Infrastructure Investment

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay is taking action following the failure of a stormwater pipe near Norwood Street NE, which caused soil washouts and exposed water and wastewater utility lines.

The stormwater pipe, already scheduled for replacement, failed under the pressure of the rains leading up to Hurricane Milton’s arrival, and the washout of soil around the stormwater pipe undermined a wastewater pipe that broke from the impact.

This was the largest release of wastewater in our system as a result of Hurricane Milton.

City crews worked throughout the night and repaired the wastewater line in the early morning hours of October 10 as Hurricane Milton was arriving. The City will be conducting emergency repairs to permanently repair the stormwater pipe that failed.

Public Works Operations is monitoring the short-term safety repairs already performed to ensure there is no further erosion. Public Works and Utilities teams are collaborating closely to ensure the repairs address both immediate needs and long-term solutions for the City’s stormwater and utility infrastructure.

“The safety and well-being of our residents are our top priority,” said Mayor Rob Medina.

“This event underscores the importance of maintaining and improving our infrastructure to withstand the challenges posed by weather and erosion. We are committed to ensuring these vital systems continue to serve our community reliably.”

The City of Palm Bay has been investing heavily in repair and replacement projects in both wastewater and stormwater. Current and near future improvements for wastewater include over $32.6 million of approved projects, including upgrades to multiple lift stations, lining pipes to help with infiltration and intrusion of stormwater, installing permanent bypass pumps, and building a new wastewater reclamation facility.

We have also been investing in technology resources to provide advance notice of impending wastewater backups, including smart manhole covers to provide notification of blockages in pipes.

Regarding stormwater infrastructure, we currently have over $18 million allocated to 22 active stormwater projects, including those currently in the design and construction phases.

Additionally, the City has identified 25 future stormwater improvement projects over the next five years, with an estimated cost of $22 million that will be actively pursued.

These projects include pipe lining and replacement, baffle boxes for water quality, replacement box culverts and headwalls, and related infrastructure replacements to strengthen and update our system.

The City of Palm Bay has been and will continue to prioritize infrastructure investments that enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for our residents.

Related Story:Nearly 500,000 Gallons of Sewage Pours Into Waterways After Palm Bay Infrastructure Failure Amid Hurricane Milton

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

The City of Palm Bay is under fire for dumping almost 500,000 gallons of sewage during Hurricane Milton.

The infrastructure failed, and lift stations overflowed all over the city. This isn’t a new issue for some Palm Bay residents, who’ve sounded the alarm about struggling infrastructure for years.

A few months ago, FOX 35 News was in Palm Bay Estates off U.S. Highway 1, hearing from neighbors concerned about sewage seeping out of lift stations. What happened during the hurricane isn’t shocking to residents who say the city's systems are failing.

"There shouldn’t be half a million gallons of stuff out there," said Bart Hynes, a Palm Bay resident.

Hynes is referencing sewage, and the City of Palm Bay said more than 467,000 gallons of it escaped from four lift stations during Hurricane Milton.

"It frustrates me more than shocks me to be honest with you," said another Palm Bay resident, Terry Stuhlmiller.

Stuhlmiller is frustrated because he’s been fighting for updates at the lift station near his home for years. FOX 35 first reported on the issue back in May. These homeowners were fed up then, showing FOX 35 pictures of dirty water and dead fish near their homes that connect to Turkey Creek.

One woman said, "It’s disgusting. You see actual turds floating."

Jackie Pignolet also told us in May, the water behind her home was "a river of poop." This new hurricane failure with sewage is fueling new frustrations for Palm Bay residents.

"They’re collecting all the money, but they don’t seem to be providing the services," said Harmon.

The City of Palm Bay tells FOX 35 they’re working on fixes. A spokesperson says:

Neighbors want to see improvements happen faster because they say the current systems aren’t cutting it.

"Everything gets swept under a rug, and it’s just totally frustrating," concluded Stuhlmiller.

FOX contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to see if Palm Bay would be fined for this sewage spill. We are still waiting for a response.

How much do solar panels cost in Palm Bay, FL in 2024?

Good Price

$9,207 or less

Market Average

$10,832

High Price

$12,457 or more

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Payback Period

8.13 Years

25-Year Savings

$60,649

Cost-per-Watt

$2.17

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Frequently asked questions about Palm Bay, FL solar panels in 2024

As of October 2024, the average solar panel cost in Palm Bay, FL is $2.17/W. If you install a 5 kW system it will cost you between $9,207 to $12,457, with an average cost of $10,832.

At a minimum, solar installations in Palm Bay, FL are eligible for the 30% federal solar tax credit. Learn more about other local Palm Bay, FL incentives that can further lower your solar cost.

You can pay for solar with cash, with a solar loan, with a solar lease, or with a power purchase agreement. You’ll save the most money over time with a cash purchase. A loan is a great way to purchase a solar panel system without any upfront cost–some are even $0-down!–but you'll lose some savings to interest. With leases and power purchase agreements, you won't have to worry about maintenance but you also won't own the system. This means, you won't receive any available incentives and if you sell your home you'll need to either buy out the lease or have the new owner take it over. Learn more about your solar financing options.

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