St. Petersburg City Council will vote next week on a $326 million plan to fix aging storm water and sewer systems that led to massive sewage spills into surrounding waterways last year.
Next Thursday’s vote is more of a formality; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is demanding that St. Petersburg do something to avoid scenarios like the 200 million gallons of sewage that spilled during heavy storms in 2016. The city’s five year plan will result in repaired and refurbished pipes, drains, sewage treatment facilities, and storage methods.
The cost of the wholesale enhancements will partly be paid by residents, who can expect a 20 percent jump in their monthly water bills starting in January.
