COCOA BEACH, Florida – An estimated 4,000-5,000 gallons of treated reclaimed water was spilled and entered a nearby storm drain that leads to a Banana River canal in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on Friday, September 25, 2020.

Around 2 p.m., the City of Cocoa Beach received a call regarding a reclaimed water break at 526 Cocoa Isles Boulevard.

When crews arrived, they notified the wastewater treatment facility to turn off the reclaimed system and began to isolate the valves to control the leak.

The cause of the leak was a corroded service saddle connection on the force main. A valve was installed on the saddle to stop the leak.

A saddle replacement will occur at a later date.

Reclaimed treated wastewater contains a high amount of nitrogen that is used to fertilize lawns.

But when nutrients enter the Indian River Lagoon system, it can act as a food source for algae.

A large food source combined with warm temperatures can lead to algae blooms that are bad for seagrass and can lead to fish kills.