The Brief
- St. Petersburg finished more than $60 million in upgrades at the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility to shield the sewer system from heavy hurricane storm surges.
- Public works crews elevated critical electrical equipment to 15 feet above sea level following severe flooding from recent major storms.
- Officials plan to implement similar storm-proofing upgrades at two other treatment facilities over the next three to five years.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Petersburg officials have finished more than $60 million in infrastructure upgrades at the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility to safeguard the city’s sewage system from future hurricane storm surges.
St. Petersburg plant upgrades
What we know:
Crews finished tens of millions of dollars in upgrades at the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility in May, according to St. Petersburg Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley. The project successfully elevated critical electrical equipment to 15 feet above sea level.
Tankersley said a seven-foot flood during Hurricane Helene brought two to three feet of water onto the campus, threatening electrical components. Raising the equipment ensures the plant can stay operational if another storm surge like Helene hits the area.…