St. Petersburg residents face toilet and sink restrictions as power cut to sewer plant for storm protection

St. Petersburg residents north of 30th Avenue North and east of Interstate 275 cannot use toilets, showers, or sinks for at least 48 hours due to power being cut at the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility. This decision was made to protect the facility from Hurricane Helene's expected storm surge. The Northeast facility, which serves 25% of the city's population, is vulnerable to storm surges above 7 feet. While tap water remains safe to drink, residents are advised to avoid using drains to prevent backups. Other treatment facilities in the city are not affected. City officials are working on $50 million in upgrades to improve the facility's resilience against future storms. The facility has previously shut down during Hurricane Elena in 1985.