Duke Energy contractor hits pipe, causing 45,000-gallon wastewater spill into Boca Ciega Bay

More than 1,000 residents and businesses on Treasure Island were without reclaimed water for nearly a week, according to a Pinellas County official

Enough wastewater to fill more than 1,000 bathtubs dumped into Boca Ciega Bay on April 14 after a contractor working for Duke Energy hit a pipe during construction, according to a state pollution notice.

Roughly 45,000 gallons of reclaimed wastewater spilled from the 4-inch water pipe near Bayshore Drive on Treasure Island after a worker struck the line while anchoring a wire that holds power poles into place.

The spill lasted for roughly 7½ hours as water drained into a nearby basin and ultimately into the popular bay bordered by St. Pete Beach, according to an incident report submitted by Pinellas County Utilities to state environment regulators.