ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With Hurricane Milton’s storm surge threatening critical infrastructure, the City of St. Petersburg has taken the precautionary measure of shutting down the Northeast and Southwest Sewer Treatment Plants. This action will affect sewer services for a significant portion of the city.
Residents and businesses in the affected areas are urged to limit water usage as much as possible, starting at 7:00 PM. This includes refraining from showering, doing laundry, and washing dishes. Flushing toilets should also be limited to only when necessary.
READ: Hurricane Milton Weakens Slightly, But Remains A Major Threat To Florida’s West Coast
Why the Shutdown?
The decision to shut down the plants was made to protect employees and equipment from potential damage caused by storm surge. The city emphasized that this is a temporary measure to ensure the safety and sustainability of sewer services after the storm passes.
What Residents Need to Know
- Affected Areas: Residents can check if they are in the impacted area by visiting this link.
- Water Conservation: Limit all non-essential water use, including showering, laundry, and dishwashing.
- Toilet Use: Flush toilets only when absolutely necessary.
- Drinking Water: Drinking water services have NOT been shut down.
Restoration Timeline
It is estimated that it may take 48 hours or more after the storm passes to restore sewer services. City crews will need to inspect the plants for damage and make any necessary repairs before resuming operations.
The city is actively monitoring the situation and working to restore services as quickly and safely as possible. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow all recommendations from city officials.
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