ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — City officials said power has been turned of at the Northeast Sewer Treatment Plant (1160 62nd Ave. NE) and the Southwest Sewer Treatment Plant (3800 54th Ave. S) to protect employees and the treatment plants from potential storm surge from Hurricane Milton. 

Residents and businesses located in the Northeast and Southwest shaded areas in this map. If you don't see it below, click here.

According to a news release, these are the only facilities the city anticipates being affected by storm surge. The city does not have plans to preemptively shut down the drinking (potable) water treatment plant located in Odessa.

Here is a Q@A of what means: 

What does this mean for you?

Starting at 7 p.m., impacted residents/businesses are encouraged to limit water usage. Please avoid taking showers, doing laundry, or washing dishes as much as possible. Please flush toilets only as necessary as the toilet may not drain. 

Important guidelines for affected residents: 

- Please flush toilets only as necessary as the toilet may not drain. 

- Please LIMIT taking a shower or using bathtubs, dishwashers, and washing machines. 

- DO fill up water bottles in advance and brush your teeth outdoors or over a container. 

- Any water that you use may not drain. 

Why did this happen? 

Due to the uncertainty of the storm track and the potential for high levels of storm surge and to ensure the safety and sustainability of sewer services post-storm, the City temporarily shut down the sewer treatment plants in the affected area. 

How long will sewer service be impacted? 

Restoration of these services may take 48 hours or more post-storm, depending on the severity of impacts. City staff will need to carefully inspect the plants to be sure they can be safely restarted and make any repairs if necessary before resuming operations.