Raw wastewater spills near north Naples elementary school

Fifty gallons of raw sewage spilled near the grounds of a north Naples elementary school Wednesday morning, but Collier County Public Schools says not to worry.

"Approximately 50 gallons of raw wastewater was released into a surface water from a leaking air release valve," a Department of Environmental Protection report dated Wednesday, Aug. 21 reads. "The (air release valve) was isolated to stop the release, temporarily plugged to place the pipeline back in service, and is scheduled for replacement."

The spill took place at 9480 Airport Road N., the same address as Pelican Marsh Elementary School in north Naples, per the report.

However, Collier County Public Schools says it actually took place in the public right-of-way adjacent to Pelican Marsh Elementary, and not on school grounds.

"This did not occur on the campus of Pelican Marsh Elementary," wrote district chief communication officer Chad Oliver. "In fact, I spoke with the school’s principal and facility manager, and they both confirmed this was not on their campus and did not impact the school’s operations in any way."

Oliver directed further questions to the Collier County Water-Sewer District.

Evelyn Longa, public information coordinator for Collier's Utilities Finance Operations wrote in an email: "The incident took place near the entryway bridge to Pelican Marsh Elementary School and entered the canal that runs along Airport-Pulling (Road) North."

The report noted that the wastewater facility would conduct surface water sampling and install public advisory signs.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Raw wastewater spills near north Naples elementary school