St. Petersburg Considering Protective Flood Barriers

The city could install AquaFence barriers around its most important wastewater pumping stations.

1 minute read

January 10, 2025, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida coast with downtown skyline in background

Noah Densmore / St. Petersburg, Florida

City leaders in St. Petersburg, Florida are considering a new type of barrier to protect key city infrastructure, reports Kailey Tracy for Fox 13 News.

The nine-foot AquaFence barrier prevented flooding at the Tampa General Hospital during the last hurricane season. Now, the city is considering the same system to protect its lift stations, which pump wastewater from properties to treatment plants. “City staff wrote in a report to council, which was included in the meeting’s agenda, that the AquaFence FloodWall would be used to protect Lift Station 85 near Albert Whitted Airport.”

The barrier can withstand up to 15 feet of storm surge, according to Tracy. “St. Pete’s AquaFence FloodWall would be 518 feet long and cost the city $628,000. The panels would be delivered in 20 weather-resistant storage crates.”

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Fox 13 Tampa Bay

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