Water Leaks, Breaks and Emergencies

Published on September 25, 2026

Water Main Break at Harn Boulevard and the U.S. 19 Frontage Road

Update Sept. 24 at 2:50 p.m. - Repair efforts are nearly completed, then roadway restoration will follow. As of Sept. 24, the turn off from U.S. 19 Frontage Road on to Harn Blvd. remains closed until completion of restoration.

Sept. 22 at 10:30 p.m. - The U.S. 19 Frontage Road is currently reopened; however, the entrance to Harn Blvd. from the Frontage Road will remain closed. Roadway closed signs are placed along Harn Blvd. to notify drivers.

Crews will return Sept. 23 to investigate, excavate, locate the damaged section, and begin assessing the necessary repairs.

• 4:00 p.m. Crews from Clearwater Public Utilities are on site of a water main break at Harn Boulevard and the U.S. 19 frontage/service road. On Sept. 21 in the afternoon, crews were notified that a contractor performing directional drilling struck what is believed to be a 12-inch water main. City water crews are currently on site working to locate and identify the necessary valves to isolate the affected section.
• FDOT has arrived on site, and the contractor remains on site as well. The contractor has currently isolated the affected section of the U.S. 19 frontage road.
• At this time, we are uncertain how long until repairs are completed or the frontage road will be closed. Check back for updates.

Sanitary Sewer Overflow

A sanitary sewer overflow occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at the intersection of Holt Avenue and Russell Street. A power outage disrupted automatic operations at the Marshall Street Water Reclamation Facility. When the system was switched to manual operation, it did not function as intended, causing a backup in the wastewater collection system and an overflow from a nearby manhole. Based on updated calculations, the final estimated spill volume is 44,881 gallons. (Earlier estimates were about 35,680 gallons.) Approximately 500 gallons were recovered.  

The overflow was stopped at approximately 8 a.m. Sept. 19. Crews vacuumed, raked, and washed down the affected area and applied lime as part of the cleanup.

The overflow reached a stormwater outfall and entered Stevenson Creek. Water-quality sampling began Sept. 20. Updates will be posted as laboratory results become available.

Public awareness signs have been posted at all sampling locations, with additional signs placed at the locations shown on the map. The spill was reported to the State Watch Office (#2026-9293) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (#34286).

East Water Reclamation Facility Sanitary Sewer Overflow

A sanitary sewer overflow occurred at approximately 7:35 p.m. on September 23 at the East Water Reclamation Facility, located at 3141 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.

Water entered an electrical control panel, causing a short circuit that disabled the influent bar screens. Debris accumulated on the screens and caused an estimated 18,309-gallon overflow. Operations staff bypassed the affected system after attempts to reset the equipment were unsuccessful. Nearby floor drains captured most of the overflow. Approximately 300 gallons were recovered.

The overflow was stopped at approximately 8:04 p.m. on September 23, totaling 29 minutes. Crews vacuumed, raked and washed down the affected area and applied disinfectant as part of the cleanup.

A portion of the overflow reached a stormwater outfall and entered Old Tampa Bay. Water-quality sampling began on September 24. Updates will be posted as laboratory results become available.

Public awareness signs have been posted at all sampling locations, with additional signs placed at the locations shown on the map. The spill was reported to the State Watch Office (#2026-9436) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Boil-Water Orders in Clearwater 

There are no other active boil water notices in the city at this time.

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