CLEARWATER, Fla. — Utilities, Inc. of Florida, or UIF, owns and operates a wastewater utility system that serves Riviera Estates, a manufactured home community that is located along US 19 in Clearwater. Recently, UIF identified a section of its collection system that needed to be repaired to reduce the risk of future sewage overflows. The pipeline is used to transport wastewater generated from its Riviera Estates customers under US 19 before reaching its Mid-County Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the flow is properly treated and disposed.
UIF requested that the city of Clearwater’s Public Utilities Department give permission to temporarily discharge a portion of UIF’s wastewater into a nearby city pumping station on US 19, should that become necessary during sewer pipeline construction.
The city agreed to this cooperative arrangement to minimize the possibility of a sewage overflow. During the night of May 4, the pipeline was successfully repaired without any sewage overflows occurring in Clearwater.
Jointly providing mutual aid on an as-needed basis between the various wastewater utility systems within Pinellas County was a high priority recommendation made by the Pinellas County Stormwater/Wastewater Task Force Technical Advisory Committee earlier this year. The city of Clearwater, Pinellas County, and UIF are all part of this important countywide task force.
Partnerships such as these help to minimize the frequency, duration and environmental impact of sewage overflows that might otherwise occur.
Contact the city of Clearwater’s Public Utilities Department at (727) 562-4960 with questions.
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