Swim warning issued for Itechapackasassa Creek

LAKELAND – City officials are urging people to avoid swimming in the Itechapackasassa Creek until testing is conducted after a wastewater spill at a pump station on New Tampa Highway.

About 1,200 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled at 8 p.m. Tuesday because of a broken check valve at the pump station located at 3242 New Tampa Highway, city officials reported.

The area around the site was washed down and vacuumed, officials said.

Some of the wastewater flowed into a storm drain, which may run to a ditch that feeds the Itechapackasassa Creek.