Pinellas County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to apply for a $15 million Resilient Florida grant to fund critical upgrades at the South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility in St. Petersburg. The county will provide an equal $15 million match, committing $30 million toward the project.
Replacing three‑decade‑old pumps
Several high‑service pumps that move reclaimed water through the county’s main wastewater treatment plant have been in operation for more than 30 years. County documents state the equipment has reached the end of its useful life and can no longer deliver the required water pressure. The grant application calls for replacing or adding seven pumps, boosting capacity to roughly 56.6 million gallons per day and positioning the system to meet future demand.
Flood‑proofing the pump station
Beyond equipment replacement, the plan includes flood‑resilience measures. The facility sits beside Joe’s Creek and is currently below the 100‑year flood elevation. A 2022 risk assessment warned that a 500‑year flood event could inundate the site with saltwater, threatening both buildings and utility service. The project will reconstruct the high‑service pump station building, raise flood‑proofing for the pump and electrical structures, and modify doors, windows, and pipe penetrations to keep water out.
Funding details and next steps
The $30 million grant request covers half of the $41.8 million total cost outlined in Pinellas County’s capital plan. The remaining $11.8 million is not detailed in the grant application. Commissioners spent little time debating the proposal; the primary question concerned how grant revenue would appear in the county’s capital budget. Office of Management and Budget Director Chris Rose confirmed the grant funds and related expenses would be recorded in that budget.
While the county has authorized the application and pledged its match, the state’s decision on the Resilient Florida grant will determine the final share of funding the county must cover. If awarded, the project will modernize essential water infrastructure, protect it from extreme flooding, and support the county’s reclaimed‑water reuse system for South County residents.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
