TAMPA, Fla. — The City of Tampa is investing in new generator upgrades aimed at preventing hurricane-related power outages and reducing the risk of wastewater spills during future storms, the city announced Friday.
The city will install two stationary generators as part of an infrastructure resiliency project tied to a settlement agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The agreement followed wastewater permit exceedances reported between 2022 and 2025, many of which were linked to Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. During Hurricane Helene, storm surge flooded several wastewater pumping stations, while Hurricane Milton caused widespread power outages that left more than 100 stations without electricity.
In March 2026, Tampa City Council approved a settlement with FDEP. The city was assessed a penalty of $584,734, but the agreement allowed Tampa to instead complete an in-kind environmental project valued at more than $877,000.
The approved project includes the installation of two stationary generators designed to keep wastewater systems operating during future storm-related outages.
City officials said eight reportable incidents occurred between March 8 and June 30, 2026, with causes ranging from grease blockages and damaged pipes to construction activity and operator error. Three incidents involved reclaimed or treated effluent rather than untreated wastewater.
Tampa is also proposing additional upgrades at the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, including new laboratory equipment, as part of another in-kind environmental project currently under review by FDEP.
Officials said grease buildup from residential drains remains one of the leading causes of dry-weather wastewater overflows. The city continues inspections and maintenance efforts while encouraging residents to keep fats, oils and grease out of drains.
The generator project is part of Tampa’s broader Progressive Infrastructure Plan to Ensure Sustainability, or PIPES, a $2.9 billion long-term initiative approved in 2019 to modernize aging water and wastewater infrastructure serving more than 733,000 residents.
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