Tampa, Fla., prepares wastewater infrastructure as Hurricane Helene approaches
(UI) – In early August 2024, Hurricane Debby caused widespread overflows in Tampa's aging wastewater infrastructure, with over 300,000 gallons overflowing due to cracked pipes that allowed stormwater to infiltrate the system, according to WFLA.
The City of Tampa's Wastewater Department is preparing more than 200 pumping stations, utilizing portable generators to prevent further damage during power outages ahead of Hurricane Helene, which has been upgraded to a category 4 hurricane and is expected to make landfall in the next few days.
In Pinellas County, 179,200 gallons of wastewater overflowed during Deby, with 12,750 gallons recovered. The county is working on pipe repair through methods like Cured in Place Pipelining (CIPP).
Ongoing efforts under Tampa's $2.9 billion PIPES program aim to upgrade the city's century-old water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 15 years. So far, $480 million has been spent on rehabilitating over 200 miles of pipes and upgrading pumping stations.
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