Utility Construction

WATER, WASTEWATER, RECLAIMED WATER
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The City of St. Petersburg Water Resources Department recognizes the need to repair, replace, upgrade, and extend utilities in order to provide excellent service. These construction projects improve service and reliability for all who live, work or visit the city. This web page provides information about current utility projects.

Projects shown have projected start dates, when scheduled, and proposed completion time frame. Delays may occur for many reasons; such as, weather, material availability, permitting, etc. For more information you may contact WRDCustomerService@stpete.org or 892-5018.

Scheduled Water Resources Utility Construction Projects

James Avenue South from 16th Street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and 11th Street from 11th to 10th Avenues South. Replace water main. Scheduled to begin the week of November 17 and last approximately 5 weeks. Minor street closings.

13th Avenue North from 49th to 47th Street; 47th and 48th Streets from 13th to 12th Avenues North. Replace water main. Scheduled to begin the week of November 3 and last approximately 4 weeks. Minor street closings.

40th Avenue North from 58th Way to 61st Street. Eliminating 2" water mains and connecting existing water services to 6" water mains. Scheduled to begin as soon as possible and last approximately 4 weeks.

7th, 8th and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street from 50th Avenue North to 53rd Terrace North. Main replacement beginning week of October 8, 2007 lasting approximately 3 months. Minor traffic issues during initial work phase including partial road closings.

Tentative Water Pipe Replacement Locations

(More information will be posted as priorities are determined and project schedules are set. Projects listed below are in random order.)

27th Avenue - 5th Street to 7th Street South

Tentative Wastewater Pipe Replacement Locations

(More information will be posted as priorities are determined and project schedules are set. Projects listed below are in random order.)

1^st Ave and Sunset Drive South. Scheduled: 4/15 thru 4/18

Rehabilitation of manhole. Traffic will be routed to Central Ave & to Park Street

855 2^nd Ave N. Scheduled: 4/1/08 thru 5/1/08

Pipe replacement work in alley. Minor road closes at 8^th St N.

Avoid Construction Zone Delays

Here are a few strategies to help you safely navigate construction zones with a minimum of stress.

Know where construction zones are located and avoid area when possible.
Allow extra time to get through construction zones when unavoidable.
Note specific details on electronic message boards when approaching major construction zones.
Be prepared for detours. Slow down, get in the correct lane early and merge cautiously.
Stay alert for surprise slow-downs and speed-ups.
Be cautious of all machinery at a worksite.
Children should not be allowed to play in construction areas or around construction equipment.
It is unsafe and a violation of City Code to disrupt the operation of any pump in a utility construction work area. Tampering with pumps may result in extensive property damage.
Any person who knowingly and willfully removes or otherwise destroys the valid stakes or other valid physical markings described used to mark the horizontal route of an underground facility commits a misdemeanor.

Why is the City replacing underground utilities (water, wastewater and reclaimed water)?

The city's water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems includes pipes and facilities from different time periods with some more than 100 years old. The city of St. Petersburg Water Resources Department has ongoing maintenance programs designed to improve reliability of services.

Will there be any interruption of service during the construction?

The construction crew or contractor will work with businesses and inform residences of utility shut offs. Many projects will require a short, temporary period of service interruption.

What is smoke testing and why is it done?

Smoke designed for this process is blown into the wastewater collection system through a manhole opening utilizing a special fan type blower. Workers walk through backyards, alleys and streets looking for defects, taking measurements and photographic documentation while looking for any cross connection to a storm sewer, bad connections or broken pipes.

If plumbing at a private property is broken or not properly connected (wax ring under toilet bad, broken/rusted/no "P" trap, broken pipe; dry floor/shower or other drain that has dried out, etc.) visible smoke may be observed and the problem should be corrected by the property owner. If smoke is seen coming out of the vent stack on the roof during the test that means the stack is doing its job correctly and there is no indication of a serious blockage.

A door hanger is placed at effected properties usually two days before the test. St. Petersburg Fire and Police Departments along with the 911 Emergency Operations Center in Clearwater are notified by phone the morning of the test.

What are the benefits of flushing?

Unidirectional flushing forces water through the distribution system in a controlled manner and at a velocity high enough to help remove accumulated corrosion products, debris, sediments, and biofilms from system piping. Utilizing this tool helps achieve better quality control within the distribution system and ensures that high-quality water is delivered to consumers.