JEA cautions people against removing manholes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA is asking people not to remove manholes or cleanout caps as it stresses the collection system.

The utility said with the recent heavy rainfall in Jacksonville, opening manhole covers can lead to equipment failure and increased costs for JEA’s wastewater system.

Open manhole covers present a safety hazard and it’s illegal to tamper with publicly owned infrastructure.

Officials said the image of the tire came through JEA’s gravity wastewater collection system that goes directly to the Buckman Wastewater Treatment Facility on Sept. 5; it could have gotten in through an open manhole.