City battles flood damage as lift stations struggle to recover

In a recent government meeting, officials reported significant challenges faced by local lift stations and water supply systems due to severe flooding. Seventeen lift stations were rendered inoperable due to water intrusion, resulting in damaged control panels and meter cans. Despite these setbacks, officials confirmed that there were no sewage spills during the incident, and residents were able to maintain basic sanitation services.

Efforts to restore functionality included deploying five pump trucks to manage the situation, with assistance from Pasco County. The team worked diligently to keep the lift stations operational, turning them on manually each day and utilizing a holding tank system to manage overflow. However, full restoration is expected to take approximately three weeks, as electricians work to install new disconnects and assess the damaged panels.

Additionally, the water plant experienced power outages, which hindered its ability to supply water to the city. In response, officials temporarily sourced water from New Port Richey to maintain service. Power was restored on Sunday, allowing the water plant to resume normal operations without any loss of water supply.

Plans are underway to address infrastructure damage, including the resetting of a dock at Nicks Park and assessing the condition of a kayak launch. The community's response and collaboration among various departments were highlighted as crucial in managing the crisis effectively.