FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - It’s all smiles for residents of Fort Lauderdale’s Rio Vista neighborhood as crews completed repairs on a sewage pipe that burst three times in less than two weeks.
Residents told 7News on Wednesday they’re glad that crews were able to finish repairing Friday’s second rupture near Virginia Young Park in time for Christmas.
“My son is out here enjoying his new Christmas present, and he’s not worried about it, and we’re pretty happy,” said resident Bob Denison.
Nevertheless, a gust of wind occasionally reminds these neighbors of the recent sewage pipe spill that flooded the streets in just days.
“We live right on the Rio Vista river right here, so we get to wake up to the wonderful smells,” said Kai Tworoger. “It means we can’t really open the window in this wonderful weather.”
City officials, however, said the issue has been mostly resolved.
“Yeah, happy that it’s over and glad to have this part of our city upgraded,” said Denison.
“It’s just something that you think is never going to be broken and is underground. You don’t see it,” said resident Dee James.
Since Dec. 10, burst after burst has plagued this portion of Fort Lauderdale. Sewage flooded the streets and spewed into the Tarpon River, creating a mess — and a smell — residents couldn’t believe.
City officials said, with the exception of a small leak in the Himmarshee Canal, the other two breaks have temporarily been fixed.
“It should never have happened. It should have all been taken care of 20 years ago, at least,” said resident Ann Tworoger.
However, there is plenty of work that needs to be done. After crews created temporary fixes for the problem overnight, their current focus is to put in a permanent solution and clean the streets.
7News cameras captured crews working around the clock on Christmas Day, pressure washing the roads, sweeping the area and trying to clean the Tarpon River.
Those who call Rio Vista home said they’re beyond thankful for the holiday sacrifice.
“We’re thinking about them a lot and really grateful for the fact that they are spending their Christmas Eve and Christmas away from their family fixing this whole thing,” said Denison, “so we’re really happy and grateful for that.”
Residents said they still have concerns about the quality of the water that’s flowing into the Tarpon River and the surrounding canals.
City officials said they’re doing their best to clean up those bodies of water. They said they have skimmers out there and other pieces of equipment to try to clean things up as quickly as possible.
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