MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Officials in Pinellas County say more than 7,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into John’s Pass on Tuesday evening.

According to Bay News 9’s partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Pinellas County Utilities said a shovel was left in a manhole, likely preventing the waste from properly flowing where it should have.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 7,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into John’s Pass

  • Waste flowed into a nearby storm drain and then into the channel that separates Treasure Island and Madeira Beach

  • Water quality samples have been taken and results are expected

Instead, an estimated 7,400 gallons of waste flowed into a nearby storm drain and then into the channel that separates Treasure Island and Madeira Beach.

The spill started around 6 p.m. and lasted for about three and a half hours, said officials with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Pinellas County officials have issued warnings to stay out of the water.

Meanwhile, water quality samples have been taken and results are expected on Friday.