After 10K-Gallon Sewage Spill, Pipe Replacement Planned In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — After a 10,000-gallon sewage spill into Riviera Bay on Saturday afternoon, a 1-mile section of pipe will be immediately replaced, according to a news release from the city.

Crews working to repair the cracked 24-inch water main on Sunday and Monday decided the stretch of pipe “exceeded its useful life and immediate replacement is necessary,” the news release said.

Construction is underway along Patica Road NE, Sam Martin Boulevard and Tallahassee Drive N. During construction, there will be intermittent road closures at the San Martin Boulevard NE Bridge.

• Also Read: 10,000 Gallons Of Sewage Spilled Into Riviera Bay: St. Pete

The work should take about two years to complete.

The public is also asked to avoid contact with Riviera Bay until water quality testing is completed.
The city had already budgeted for and planned to replace this entire section of pipe in 2025. Now, the $3 million replacement project has been accelerated, the city said.

During normal operations, 2 million gallons of wastewater flow through the pipe.

Crews stopped the leak Monday by installing a clamp to the pipe. The next step is to install a bypass pipe alongside the existing pipe, which will be used temporarily until the existing pipe is replaced, the city said.

The bypass pipe will allow the city to maintain service while the new pipe is installed.