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The Fordham Waterway is highlighted in light blue (Graphic via University of South Florida Water Institute) PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — An accidental pipeline break caused the release of 12,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into the Fordham Waterway on Wednesday night, Charlotte County utilities officials said. The water traveled from the pipeline break near Olean and Conway boulevards through the storm drain system. A contractor installing a new Florida Power & Light conduit in the area caused the break, according to the utililties officials. Utilities staff stopped the flow at 11 p.m. Wednesday, about two hours after they were alerted to the break. A total of about 25,000 gallons of untreated wastewater came out of the pipe, but approximately 9,000 gallons were recovered by tanker trucks, the officials said. The other 4,000 gallons were absorbed into the soil, a county spokesman said. Utilities staff disinfected the area and are planning to install a temporary pipeline. More extensive repairs and a long-term solution are in the works, according to the officials. Crews are collecting water samples at the site of the break and downstream. The Fordham Waterway is part of the Peace River Watershed that flows into Charlotte Harbor.