MANATEE — In order to keep toilets flushing during a hurricane or other power-zapping event, Manatee County has been attaching diesel-powered generators to some of its busiest sewage lift stations.
The most recent contract calls for seven more generators at roughly $175,000 each, bringing the total to 19 generators installed since 2007, said Amy Merrill, a Manatee County spokeswoman.
“The reason this is such a high priority is for health reasons besides the convenience of our customers,” Merrill said.
In the past, the county had to rush out in rough weather to haul one of 33 portable generators to any of the county’s 547 lift stations in order to avoid a sewage backup and spill.
The ultimate goal is to have permanent generators in 56 of the county’s highest flow stations, Merrill added.
Lift stations use electric motors to propel waste products through a system of pipes toward a treatment center.
The most current contracts call for generators for Northwest Bradenton, Bayshore Gardens, Mote Ranch, Marineland, Parrish, and two in Lakewood Ranch, Merrill said.
“The new generators are being installed at the high-flow stations,” Merrill said. “Those are our more critical stations and often, we may not have time to get one of the portable generators to that facility.”
Eventually, when all the funding comes through, the county plans to have 56 generators at high-flow stations, Merrill added.
That won’t guarantee that every toilet will flush in a disaster, but it gives strong coverage, Merrill said.
Lakewood Ranch residents are pleased that their community is getting two of the seven generators.
“Whenever they have critical services with backup that is certainly something that will be desired,” said Keith Davey, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Civic Action Forum.
Teenager Tim Olson of Out-of-Door Academy said he and his parents will appreciate the new lift station equipment.
“Our home in Summerfield Bluffs has been hit by lightning and we’ve lost power several times,” Olson said. “That’s why this is pretty good news.”
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 708-7917.
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