ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In a move to fortify its defenses against natural disasters, the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday approved critical projects aimed at significantly enhancing the resilience of the City’s sewer system. These initiatives, totaling over $1.45 million in new approvals, build upon a nearly $1 billion investment made by the City over the past nine years to bolster overall infrastructure.
The newly approved projects focus on increasing the reliability of Lift Station 85, the City’s largest lift station, and continuing the widespread rehabilitation of sewer pipes, ensuring their optimal function before, during, and after severe weather events.
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“My administration remains committed to strengthening our infrastructure and enhancing ongoing resiliency efforts, especially as we continue through hurricane season,” stated Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “The projects approved by City Council this week are another step in improving the overall resilience of the City’s sewer system, which is a critical function that directly impacts our residents. I want to thank the members of City Council for their continued support as we work together to make our community better prepared for future storms.”
Lift Station 85 Undergoes Major Upgrades
A significant portion of the approved funding, $456,751, is allocated for additional construction phase services for the Lift Station 85 Pump Replacement/Redesign Project.
This vital undertaking will replace the existing 10-year-old pumps, which are nearing the end of their operational lifespan, with new, more reliable units. Lift Station 85 is a cornerstone of the city’s wastewater management, processing up to 23 million gallons per day from the bustling downtown medical and innovation districts. The new pumps will ensure the continued efficiency and reliability of this crucial facility.
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Further bolstering Lift Station 85’s resilience, the City Council also approved a statement of qualifications from PCL Construction, Inc. for additional improvements. This project will involve the demolition of existing aging wet weather storage tanks and their replacement with new, enhanced wet weather storage/equalization tanks.
Additionally, a new administrative building will be constructed at the site of Lift Station 85, located at the Old Albert Whitted Water Reclamation Facility. This new facility will serve as a dedicated base of operations during storm events, streamlining emergency response efforts. The Old Albert Whitted Water Reclamation Facility was decommissioned in 2015 when Lift Station 85 began redirecting sewage flows to the City’s Southwest Water Reclamation Facility.
Extending the Lifespan of Sewer Pipes
In a continued effort to mitigate sanitary sewer overflows during heavy rainfall, the City Council approved a resolution for an additional $1 million for Annual Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) Pipe Lining. This allocation brings the total contract amount for this ongoing program to just over $11 million.
The CIPP method allows for the rehabilitation of deteriorated gravity sanitary sewer mains and public laterals through relining, significantly reducing Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) into the City’s sewer collection system. This long-term commitment underscores the City’s dedication to maintaining a robust and efficient wastewater infrastructure.
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