Hollywood Breathes Easier After Sewer Line Break Capped

HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – After days of raw sewage spewing from a ruptured four foot wide sewage line, crews finally fixed he breach and pout the line back in service Friday afternoon, leaving behind a massive stench and a nasty clean-up job.

A valve needed to repair the pipe arrived on Thursday and crews worked through the night and into Friday to complete the repairs. The sewage line break took place Wednesday morning near Taft Street between Park Road and Interstate 95.

The gushing sewage line, the primary sewer link between parts of Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and southern Broward to a regional wastewater plant, continued to flow because there was no place else for the sewage to go. Despite efforts to contain it and divert it into canals, away from homes and businesses, the problem was so severe people left their homes to avoid the nasty sludge and overpowering odor.

During an inspection of the ruptured pipe, it was revealed additional work on the segment of the Taft Street sewer main will be needed in the coming months, according to Hollywood City spokeswoman Raelin Storey.

The City of Hollywood is working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and is conducting tests to monitor water quality in the nearby C-10 canal. Water sampling and testing will continue throughout the weekend. Additionally, the City has posted "No Fishing/ No Swimming/ No Wading" signs at access points to the canal.

The families most affected by the sewage have been given hotel accommodations while repairs are made and clean-up takes place.

For residents in the homes along the east side of North 31st Road between Taft Street and Arthur Street, the City has hired an environmental mitigation company to clean-up their properties.  The crews will pressure wash and disinfect of hard surfaces,  as well as disinfect lawns.

The City will continue to offer hotel accommodations for those residents who choose not to remain in their properties during the clean-up.

Drinking water continues to be unaffected by the sewer line repair work.

The city has set up a hotline for residents who need assistance. The number is (954) 921-3046.