Commission approves emergency repair of Lift Station 47 after riser pipe failure

The Lynn Haven City Commission approved emergency repairs to Lift Station 47, located at the foot of the Bailey Bridge, after staff reported the lift station’s riser pipe separated and the station was operating on only one side.

Interim City Manager Chris Lightfoot told the commission the riser pipe “blew apart,” leaving the station operating on a single side; staff solicited quotes from three firms and recommended Marshall Brothers as the lowest bidder for piping replacement. ‘‘If the lift station fails, we will have sewer go into the bayou. So it is definitely an emergency to get it repaired,’’ Lightfoot said in response to public questions about emergency classification.

Why it matters: the city had budgeted funds in the proposed FY26 budget for full pump and panel replacement, but the sudden pipe failure required immediate action to prevent sewage discharge. Staff indicated the piping replacement is an emergency repair now and the larger replacement work remains in FY26 planning.

Vote and next steps: the commission approved the emergency repair and directed staff to proceed; the motion passed by roll call (Commissioners Ward, Purnell, Tender, Peebles and Mayor Aaron Nelson voted yes). Staff said the project will later be included in the FY26 budget for pump and panel replacement.

Ending: staff emphasized the environmental risk if operations at the lift station were to fail and described the repair as necessary to protect adjacent waterways.