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!
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Additional Resources
- Iontb: Traffic Interruption at 5th Ave N and 16th St N Due to Water Leak
- Google Search: St. Petersburg Water Leak
- Fox 13 News: 95-Year-Old St. Pete Resident Fighting $500 Erroneous Water Bill
- Wikipedia: Water Supply and Sanitation in the United States
- WTSP: St. Pete Water Main Breaks After Hurricane Milton
- Google News: St. Petersburg High Water Bills
- St. Pete Catalyst: Over 400,000 Gallons of Sewage Spewed in St. Pete
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Water Supply
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
