Chlorine spill at Lehigh Acres water plant breaks containment

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — A liquid chlorine spill was reported at a wastewater treatment plant in Lehigh Acres on Thursday morning.

According to an initial pollution notice filed with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the spill happened around 8:00 a.m. at the Lehigh Acres WWTP located at 550 Construction Lane.

The facility manager reported discovering the spill, which was traced back to a problem with the chlorine tank drain.

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While most of the chlorine stayed within the designated containment area, a leak in that containment allowed a portion to escape onto the adjacent grounds.

Officials estimate about 2,000 gallons of chlorine were discharged outside the containment area, though no waterways or storm drains were affected.

The spill was stopped by 8:15 a.m. and crews were already on site working to recover as much of the discharged material as possible.

Once recovery efforts wrap up, crews plan to carry out dechlorination and site cleanup to address the affected area.