The collaborative design approach delivers critical enhancements to support continuous operations during hurricane season
Tampa, Fla. — (June 16, 2026) — As communities across Florida prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, investments in resilient infrastructure are playing a critical role. Recent upgrades to the St. Petersburg Northwest Water Reclamation Facility, delivered in partnership with PCL Construction, Inc. represent a significant step forward in strengthening the reliability and performance of one of the region’s most vital water systems.
“In recent years, stronger storms and heavier rainfall have increased the risk of system overloads, making resilient wastewater infrastructure a growing priority for coastal cities like St. Petersburg,” said Cory Westphal, PCL project manager. “Projects like this are about ensuring communities can rely on critical services when they need them most. By working collaboratively with the City and project partners, we delivered a solution that allows the facility to better withstand hurricanes and extreme weather.”
The project focused on modernizing aging infrastructure, improving wastewater system reliability and reducing the risk of wet weather overflows. At the center of the upgrades is a new influent pump station and headworks facility, designed to enhance system capacity and operational efficiency while supporting consistent performance during storm events.
Project highlights include:
- New 30 MGD influent pump station replacing aging infrastructure.
- Headworks facility with advanced screening, grit removal and odor control.
- Two 7.5-million-gallon storage tanks to meet latest storage regulatory requirements
- Enhanced electrical, instrumentation and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems.
A key factor in the project’s success was its collaborative design and construction approach. Working within an active, space-constrained facility, the team implemented innovative solutions such as crafting a 35-foot-deep shored excavation to maintain compliance and ensure continuous operations while integrating new infrastructure near shallow groundwater.
The project also earned the City of St. Petersburg its first Envision Award, recognizing the City’s commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
The St. Petersburg water reclamation facility project is part of PCL’s growing Civil portfolio, reflecting continued investment in infrastructure that strengthens resilience against hurricanes and other climate-driven risks.
To learn more about the project and its impact, watch the project overview video.
About PCL Construction
PCL Construction is one of the most respected and accomplished builders in North America, made up of independent construction companies operating throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. With an annual construction volume exceeding $9.9 billion USD, PCL builds projects that shape communities and strengthen infrastructure. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.