St. Petersburg has a sewage problem

Maybe the manhole cover shown would provide some motivation for the Mayor to put some serious effort into the City's infrastructure.

St. Petersburg, FL

Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb, PhD
Coauthor of: So You Want Blog.

There should be no doubt at this point that the City of St. Petersburg has a storm-water system problem. The infrastructure is old and in need of major repair.

All of these problems came to a head in the recent St. Pete sewage dumps into Clam Bayou in Gulfport and into Tampa Bay.

If you're not up on the issue, here are several links that will get you caught up.

From Janelle Irwin saintpetersblog:

Responding to raw sewage dump, St. Pete officials announce fixes to inadequate stormwater system

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating St. Pete sewage dump

Two letters show mounting concerns over the St. Pete’s wastewater infrastructure

Charlie Fargo Tampa Bay Times:

St. Petersburg confirms more wastewater spilled during heavy rains

Recent rains expose a St. Pete wastewater system in disarray

State report finds no public warnings, or violations, in St. Petersburg sewage spill

Council members urge Mayor Rick Kriseman to spend more BP settlement money on sewer system

As reported in Claire McNeil's Tampa Bay Times piece Kriseman pledges action to avert future sewage dumps the Mayor talks a good game but can't seem to follow through.

"We would like to see the city do Infrastructure 101 to make sure the sewage system is in proper condition," said Walter Donnelly of the Alliance for Bayway Communities. "Six million dollars and $1 million going to sewers? Thank you for that. But bicycles, Mr. Mayor, when the city's sewers are falling apart? Please."

It seems the Mayor is more taken by things where he can hang his name, so I thought maybe the manhole cover shown above would provide some motivation for the Mayor and the dream team to put some serious effort into the City's infrastructure.

Given the Kriseman administration's fascination with the millennials, it might be worth considering that the first time they are ankle-deep in floating sewage their fascination with St. Pete might wane.

It's really hard to sit in an outside eatery and swill your favorite craft beer with crap floating down the street.

E-mail Doc at mail to:dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (Gene Webb) Friend request. Please comment below, and be sure to share on Facebook. See Doc's Photo Gallery at Bay Post Photos.

Disclosures:
Contributor: Waterfront Charter Amendment (Vote on The Pier), Carly Fiorina for President