St. Petersburg Faces Road Closure Due to Water Leak

Repair crews working on a road closure due to a water leak in St. Petersburg.

News Summary

St. Petersburg has announced a road closure at the intersection of 5th Avenue N. and 16th Street N. due to a significant water leak. Repair work is expected to last until January 24 or until the issue is resolved. Residents are advised to take alternative routes as traffic disruptions occur. Additionally, the city is grappling with high water bills, and recent storms have caused multiple water main breaks, prompting safety precautions.

St. Petersburg Faces Road Closure Due to Water Leak

If you’re in St. Petersburg, you might want to make some adjustments to your travel plans. The city has announced that a water leak has caused a road closure at the busy intersection of 5th Avenue N. and 16th Street N.. This means that both northbound and westbound traffic will be blocked off for repairs, which are expected to last until Friday, January 24, or until the issue gets resolved. It’s important to keep in mind that these repairs are linked to contractor activities, so if you’re driving in the area, be on the lookout for those orange traffic cones and detour signs!

While the city’s repair crews are working diligently behind the scenes to fix this pesky leak, drivers are being encouraged to take alternative routes. This kind of disruption can be a real hassle, so it might be a good idea to give yourself a little extra time as you navigate around this closure.

Water Bill Woes in St. Petersburg

In other news, St. Petersburg residents have been expressing their frustrations about remarkably high water bills recently. Some households have reported bills that are anywhere from five to twenty times higher than normal! That’s a staggering amount and can definitely put a dent in anyone’s budget.

One resident, a 95-year-old woman named Olga, shared her experience of receiving an exorbitant bill amounting to $500. She insists she has been using rainwater for her plants and has no leaks in her home. Yet, the city has informed her that unless a leak can be proven to exist, her bill remains—quite a conundrum!

Despite two plumbers and a general contractor inspecting her home and finding no leaks, the dispute over her water bill continues. Olga’s daughter has even taken the initiative to petition the utility billing review committee, but her efforts have yet to yield any relief. The city indicated that a reduction in bills could be possible if a leak were found, but Olga firmly believes that there simply is no leak at all.

Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

Adding to the water troubles, the city of St. Petersburg confirmed there have been at least 38 primary water main breaks following the recent Hurricane Milton. Residents made over 400 calls requesting inspections for leaks during this time, and most of the water main breaks were linked back to fallen trees that had lifted and broken surrounding water mains during the storm.

For those who are wondering about safety, a precautionary boil water notice is typically issued during water main breaks, especially when the pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch. Thankfully, St. Petersburg’s boil notice was lifted as of 8:30 a.m. on Monday, which means residents can breathe a little easier knowing their drinking water is safe once again.

Helping Residents Recover

For those affected by Hurricane Milton and dealing with these water challenges, there are recovery resources available through Pinellas County. It’s important for residents to access these resources to help ease the burden of both the recovery and the ongoing water issues. Given all the disruptions, it’s a good reminder that staying informed and proactive is key during times of crisis.

So, as St. Petersburg addresses this water leak at 5th and 16th, makes sense to keep an eye on those water bills and stay informed on local recovery efforts. Keep smiling and stay safe!