In the days after Hurricane Milton, St. Pete Beach residents were told not to flush their toilets, take showers or wash dishes. Storm surge had flooded electrical equipment at the city\u2019s sewage pumping stations, bringing the wastewater system to a standstill.<\/p>\n
Two years later, the city is still working to prevent that from happening again.<\/p>\n
St. Pete Beach commissioners unanimously approved plans Tuesday to rehabilitate three sewage lift stations damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The improvements include elevated electrical equipment, backup generators and other work intended to keep wastewater moving during future storms.<\/p>\n
The roughly $1.5 million in previously contracted construction work covers stations in Belle Vista, near Corey Avenue and in Pass-a-Grille. The projects are expected to be completed by July 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur sewer system is at a complete standstill,\u201d then-Mayor Adrian Petrila said following Milton, according to WUSF\u2019s reporting at the time.<\/p>\n
With the system offline, officials warned that continued water use could cause sewage to back up into homes. Crews scrambled to bring temporary generators online and bypass damaged equipment, while residents were warned that restoring normal service could take more than a week.<\/p>\n
For a barrier island community dependent on tourism, reliable wastewater service is essential to the hotels, restaurants and waterfront businesses that support its economy.<\/p>\n
Public Services Director Camden Mills outlined plans Tuesday to raise electrical controls above the base flood elevation at each station and install elevated platforms supporting permanent backup generators.<\/p>\n
The structures will stand roughly 13 to 14 feet tall, including the generators.<\/p>\n
The contracted construction costs total approximately $514,000 for Lift Station 7 at Belle Vista Triangle Park, $541,000 for Lift Station 10 at Fisherman\u2019s Park near Corey Avenue and $500,000 for Lift Station 4 near Pass-a-Grille Marina.<\/p>\n
A substantial portion of each project\u2019s cost is associated with flood mitigation. The improvements are being funded through the city\u2019s wastewater utility.<\/p>\n
But installing large, elevated equipment in established neighborhoods has required compromises.<\/p>\n
At Belle Vista Triangle Park, the proposed structure will stand near the entrance to a residential neighborhood. Residents have spent months discussing its location and appearance with city staff.<\/p>\n
Greg Premer, a Belle Vista resident, told commissioners the neighborhood wasn\u2019t pleased about the addition.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody wanted this structure in front of our neighborhood,\u201d Premer said. \u201cThe size of a large garage is being forced on the residents of Belle Vista.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even so, he recognized the importance of the work beyond his neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re kind of taking one for the team for everybody down south of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
After reviewing several possible locations, city staff settled on a design that avoided approximately $160,000 in additional underground utility relocation costs.<\/p>\n
Residents also requested wood-look fencing, additional landscaping and improvements to the neighborhood\u2019s entrance, including a monument sign.<\/p>\n
Mayor Scott Tate argued that the city\u2019s cost savings warranted further consideration of those requests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure that $30,000 is an unreasonable ask,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Jon Maldonado questioned whether the city should use public money for amenities unrelated to the station\u2019s operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a want versus a need,\u201d Maldonado said, suggesting neighborhood groups could help fund some of the improvements through voluntary contributions.<\/p>\n
City officials explained that wastewater utility funds could not pay for unrelated neighborhood beautification, meaning any additional amenities would require another funding source.<\/p>\n
Commissioners approved the Belle Vista project, agreeing to revisit the beautification requests in June 2027.<\/p>\n
At Fisherman\u2019s Park, near Corey Avenue, commissioners discussed how to make another large elevated generator less imposing in the small waterfront space. Suggestions included decorative wraps or artwork from local artists.<\/p>\n
The city agreed to revisit those possibilities next year without delaying the station improvements.<\/p>\n