20K Gallons Of Overflow At St. Pete Lift Stations: Hurricane Irma

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — While the city of St. Petersburg's sewage treatment system handled all wastewater that came its way during Hurricane Irma, the loss of power to lift stations that pump wastewater to treatment plants is currently presenting a challenge to the city.

Three lift stations in St. Petersburg lost power during the storm's track through the Tampa Bay region, causing overflows from manholes, officials said Monday.

Overflows have occurred in the following locations, county officials said:

• 601 Grevilla Avenue -11,670 gallons
• 2800 block of Bayside Drive Lift Station - 3,750 gallons
• 24th Avenue South Lift Station - 3,400 gallons

The total overflow determined so far during Hurricane Irma across the city of St. Petersburg is less than 20,000 gallons.

Lift stations are designed to move wastewater from lower to higher elevation, and power outages affect this.

Watch: Florida Governor: A Long Road To Recovery After Irma

See Also:

• 3 Brush Sites Open Monday In St. Petersburg: Hurricane Irma
  
• Hurricane Irma: Access To Pinellas County Reopens, Entry To Barrier Islands Allowed At 4 P.M. (UPDATE)
• Hurricane Irma Forces Officials To Restrict Entry To Pinellas County: UPDATE
• Hurricane Irma: Tampa Bay Tornado Watches, Curfews In Place

The city is currently using portable generators to pump down the lift stations until Duke Energy can restore power at the various locations, officials said. Duke is working to restore power as soon as possible.

Photo: St. Pete Police Department