City will pay for private sewer repairs in problem areas

Some St. Petersburg residents can soon receive a full reimbursement to fix faulty sewer laterals, which officials say contribute significantly to flooding and sewage overflows.

Private laterals connect a home’s plumbing to public sewer systems, and a new initiative will eventually offer up to $5,000 rebates citywide. Administrators believe the program could reduce inflow from surface water and infiltration from groundwater by 34% – that number increases to 64% when combined with municipal rehabilitation efforts.

However, city council members wonder if enough homeowners will participate in the program to make a difference. Some also questioned the cost, as special projects coordinator Kira Barrera said St. Petersburg could spend $152 million helping replace private plumbing through 2035.

“Not everyone is going to agree with this,” said Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz. “It’s great work to get some answers, get data and get all the information, but the reality is, it’s going to take people’s willingness to do this as a collective to solve an issue in our city.”

A diagram highlighting how inflow and infiltration affect sewer systems. Screengrab.

Barrera began her presentation by noting the importance of keeping stormwater from entering the city’s separate sewer system. Mitigating infiltration decreases the number of sewage overflows, improves treatment processes at water reclamation facilities and reduces the need to increase capacity.

A pilot study focused on the Pinellas Point area around the city’s southernmost point and southwest St. Petersburg’s Maximo Moorings neighborhood. About 300 homes were eligible to participate; 61% received lateral inspections, and 43% of those underwent repairs.

Barrera said those rates were “right in line” with the study’s goals. Officials also found private rehabilitation is “more cost-effective than the public side.”

The pilot study informed a citywide program’s parameters. Homeowners in areas with excessive inflow and infiltration can receive full reimbursement to repair or replace their laterals during the first phase, which begins in June.

Administrators expect 100 properties to participate – and have $500,000 budgeted – through the first two years. They will expand the first-come, first-serve program citywide and offer rebates of up to $5,000 in June 2027.

Barrera said officials want to launch the program immediately rather than wait for grant funding opportunities. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to address even more properties and expand participation as those funds become available.”

Councilmember Mike Harting questioned why a $5,000 reimbursement would entice someone to spend over $7,000 on lateral repairs. Barrera said most people would likely not participate unless they experienced significant plumbing issues or were about to sell their home.

“Usually, they wait until they absolutely have to – until there are backups, until there are depressions in their yard,” she added. “It is a challenge for us to prevent this (inflow and infiltration).”

Pinellas County provides a $3,500 rebate. However, Barrera said the program has an 80% participation rate due to stringent enforcement of associated ordinances.

Administrators plan to discuss updating the city’s ordinance in the future. Barrera also noted staff are “still swamped right now” with storm-related work.

She and council members agreed that the program’s success hinges on public participation. Every eligible home in the first phase will receive a letter, and staffers will go door to door.

Council and utility newsletters will include informational inserts. Barrera said she attended several community yard sales to highlight the program during the pilot phase, and officials must “be creative” with their outreach.

“We have almost 1,000 miles of pipes that belong to the city,” said Claude Tankersley, public works director. “The linear feet of private laterals are almost exactly the same as it is for the public side.

“Our public side is leaking, and the private side is leaking – that is why we have to tackle both.”

A graphic showing problem areas (red) eligible for a full reimbursement. Screengrab.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard has gone through the process twice, with one lateral rehabilitation costing $5,000 and the other nearly $10,000. She wants to ensure plumbers do not overcharge residents, and Barrera said the county has encountered similar problems.

Barrera explained that a public works technician would review estimates. Staff will also verify credentials and expectations with plumbers.

Gabbard echoed Harting’s comments and said the city should incentivize homeowner participation. “And the ordinance may have to be part of that.”

Assistant City Attorney Michael Dema said a substantial storm damage letter triggers a county inspection. He also noted the backlog of municipal permit applications due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“It’s a fine line,” Gabbard said. “We want to make sure this has some teeth in it … but we have a lot of people who already have a lot to absorb.”