Bradenton Sewer Spill Near Bowlees Creek: What It Means for Your Water
Oct 16, 2026The short version: On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, around 3:30 p.m., a contractor installing electrical conduit hit a 24-inch sewer force main near 26th Street West and 60th Avenue West in Bradenton. Manatee County estimates more than 300,000 gallons of wastewater spilled before crews stopped it that evening. This was a sewer line, not a drinking water line. As of October 16, no boil water notice has been issued.
What happened
According to Manatee County, the contractor was doing work unrelated to county operations when it struck the force main. Crews stopped the discharge at the damaged pipe Tuesday evening, but more overflows happened at other points in the sewer system while crews managed flows during the repair. The county issued emergency purchase orders to bring in extra resources, and news reports say repairs could take several days.
The county is asking residents and drivers to avoid the area around 26th Street West and 60th Avenue West while the work continues.
Does this affect my tap water?
Your tap water and the sewer are two separate pipe systems. Drinking water reaches your house under pressure through its own mains, and wastewater leaves through different lines. A break in a sewer force main is not a break in the drinking water system.
If the drinking water system were ever affected, Manatee County would issue a boil water notice. We check the utilities in our service area and post those notices on our Water Alerts page.
Bowlees Creek and the bay
Suncoast Waterkeeper has said the wastewater could reach the bay through Bowlees Creek, and that the agency in charge would normally test the water above and below the spill. No sampling results have been released yet.
Until they are, it makes sense to:
- Keep kids and pets out of Bowlees Creek and the ditches and standing water near the spill area.
- Skip fishing, wading or paddling in the creek for now.
- Wash your hands well if you do touch water from the area.
If you are on a private well
Most homes in this part of Bradenton are on Manatee County water. If you are on a private well nearby and street or overflow water reached your wellhead, the Florida Department of Health recommends testing a well for bacteria after any flooding before you rely on it for drinking.
Why we are posting this
This one is close to home for us. We are a Bradenton company, and a lot of our customers live in the neighborhoods around Bowlees Creek. We will add updates here when the county releases repair or sampling news.
Common questions
Do I need to boil my tap water because of this spill?
No boil water notice has been issued. This was a break in a sewer line, not in the drinking water system. If that ever changes, Manatee County issues a boil water notice, and we post it on our Water Alerts page.
Is it OK to go in Bowlees Creek right now?
Until Manatee County or the Florida Department of Health releases sampling results, it is sensible to keep kids and pets out of Bowlees Creek and the ditches around 26th Street West and 60th Avenue West, and to skip fishing or wading there.
Should I buy a filter because of this?
No. A home water system is not needed for this event, because the drinking water system was not involved. If you are on a private well and floodwater reached the wellhead, test the well for bacteria first.
Questions about your water? Call or text 941-266-8991 and you will reach a local person.
Related: Suncoast water news and alerts · Bradenton city water vs. Manatee County water · Well water treatment
Sources: Manatee County Utilities statement, October 15, 2026 (via Pulse of Manatee); WWSB ABC7, October 15, 2026; Patch Bradenton, October 15, 2026; WCXS 104.5, October 15, 2026.
