ST. PETE BEACH — The city is scrambling to address a wastewater system crisis that has been years in the making, after spending $2.7 million less than consultants recommended on essential repairs to aging infrastructure.
Saltwater intrusion into the city’s 70-year-old pipes has caused chlorine levels to spike so high that St. Petersburg can no longer consistently produce reclaimed water from St. Pete Beach’s sewage — a violation of the city’s treatment contract.
The problem stems from the city’s failure to follow through on repair recommendations dating to 2017, Public Services Director Camden Mills told city commissioners at a Sept. 22 meeting…