Water Sector News

This hurricane season, the City of Tampa is urging residents to keep leftover fat, oil, grease and wet wipes out of the drain. It’s an important step in the fight against environmental damage and in keeping our wastewater collection system functioning properly.

The City of Tampa Wastewater Department has a tool called bar screens in place at its pumping stations, which function as a filter, keeping non-biodegradable materials such as wipes, rags, grit, sand, toys, plastics, and large non-organic debris from entering the primary wastewater treatment process. The bars, which are 1-2 inches apart, prevent these materials from progressing further, ultimately protecting vital equipment and preventing costly repairs and equipment failures.