Hurricane Irma: Polk Wastewater Facilities Failing Without Power

BARTOW, FL – While TECO Energy has reported more than 800 power outages to residences it serves in Polk County as of Sunday afternoon, the county’s Utilities Department is reporting failures at several wastewater facilities because of power outages as well.

Polk County Utilities reported some of its smaller lift stations in the county are becoming inoperable. The department said the failures will cause wastewater to spill onto the ground near the lift station, but it should not cause wastewater to back up into homes.

The lift stations and neighborhoods affected include:

• Lift Station 64: Oakwood, Country Place, Winter Haven
• Lift Station 68: Jan Phyl Village, Winter Haven
• Lift Station 91: Queens Cove, Village at Spirit Lake, Winter Haven
• Lift Station 219: Oak Preserve, Winter Haven

The lift stations will be down until power is restored if electric companies cannot get into the neighborhoods until after the storm, the county reported. Residents in the affected areas have been asked to use water sparingly and to avoid areas with wastewater spillage.

Image via Pam Broviak, Flickr, used under Creative Commons