Public Works Department
Director: Tom Nicholls
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phone: (727) 893-1089
For after-hours water or sewer emergency please call: (727) 582-6177
The Public Works Director manages and supervises the City’s Public Works solid waste and utility operations. This program is also responsible for managing city streets and drainage system for compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements, the maintenance of city buildings, vehicle maintenance, and the parks division. The Public Works Department consists of 37 full-time employees providing essential services to city residents.
Now through Sept. 30, skip the fertilizer. It is illegal in Pinellas County to fertilize lawns during the rainy season, and it’s also the reason slow-release products are required the rest of the year.
Fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus cannot be applied to lawns or landscape plants, according to Pinellas County ordinance. Incorrect use of fertilizer can allow nutrients to leach into the groundwater and wash into storm drains that flow to creeks, lakes, Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Harmful algae blooms caused by excess nutrients can lower oxygen levels and result in fish kills.
During the rest of the year, use fertilizers properly. Here’s how:
• Make fertilizer selections based on need. Decide which nutrients will give you the result that you want for your lawn.
• Use fertilizers sparingly to reduce nitrate levels. Less is better. Read and follow all instructions on the package.
• Do not fertilize when storm events are forecast. This will help reduce the level of nutrients washing into water systems during and after the storm.
• Select slow-release fertilizers. They are kinder to the environment and usually cost less. Look for terms such as “time-release,” “slow-release” or “water insoluble nitrogen” on the fertilizer’s package.
• Remember to fertilize only when needed. Do not apply more than one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of grass.
Do your part to preserve Gulfport’s water, coastlines and wildlife – the very things that help make this city bright and beautiful.
Starting on Tuesday, December 27, crews in the Municipal Marina area will be completing Priority 2 repairs of the City of Gulfport’s Sanitary Sewer System. All residents impacted by the construction project will be notified with a door hanger. If needed, signage and traffic control devices will be put in place to assist with rerouting and traffic flow.
For more information, please contact the City of Gulfport Public Works Utilities Department at (727) 893-1085. The City of Gulfport entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for finding and fixing infiltration and inflow (I/I) into the City’s sanitary sewer system. The completion of the City of Gulfport’s Sanitary Sewer System Priority 2 repairs in the Municipal Marina area is expected to be completed in March of 2023.
Duke Energy is working hard in our community to improve reliability, reduce outages, strengthen the power grid against severe weather and prepare our system to serve our growing area. As part of this commitment, they are conducting major grid improvement projects in the City of Gulfport and surrounding areas. Please visit https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/future/51st-street-substation for more information on how Duke Energy is upgrading our electric infrastructure.
Services
The Street Division provides regular right-of-way maintenance of roadways, curbs, valley gutters, medians, alleys, sidewalks, and parkway areas. Services in this program include repairing potholes, roadway repairs due to underground utility failures, repair, replacement or relocation of sidewalks, and repair of brick roadways. This program also maintains and replaces street signs, regulatory and informational signs and controls contractual services for traffic signals and street lights. The Streets Division is responsible for maintaining approximately 68 miles of paved and 32 miles of unpaved streets.
Building Maintenance – The Public Works Department Building Maintenance Division staff focuses on improvements, preventative maintenance operations and coordinates the ongoing maintenance and construction activities associated with routine facility maintenance. This program oversees the design and construction of renovations, building equipment replacement and ensures all city facilities are properly maintained. Personnel provides a variety of services such as carpentry, masonry, electrical work, painting, air conditioning repair, janitorial, maintenance and moving furniture.
Vehicle Maintenance – This Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Division provides maintenance services and repairs for all city equipment including light and heavy vehicles, and construction equipment. Vehicle Maintenance also includes preventative and corrective maintenance. The staff recommends the replacement of existing vehicles, and reviews additional vehicle requests by departments and divisions to ensure their suitability to the type of work being performed. The Vehicle Maintenance Division will continue to evaluate city-wide vehicle efficiency to aid in reducing the fleet vehicle maintenance, operating and energy related costs.
The Sanitation Department provides collection and disposal services that meet or exceed state standards and are responsible for the health and sanitary needs of our community. The department accomplishes this mission while maintaining a competitive cost of service for our customers and the community as a whole. This department is an enterprise fund funded by user fees from the residents and businesses receiving solid waste services. City Garbage collection is provided twice a week, either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday based on your residential address. For Sanitation/Recycling pick up information, times, and days please call the Public Works Department at (727) 893-1089 or visit https://mygulfport.us/public-works-department/residential-sanitation-service/.
Recycling – Provides once-a-week collection of household recyclables. Curbside service is provided to all single-family and duplex homes, apartment/condo complexes, mobile home parks and smaller businesses. Items collected are plastic marked #1-#7, steel cans, aluminum cans, mixed paper, cardboard and newspaper. A drop off center is located at the Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th Street South, for glass containers (all colors), mixed paper and cardboard.
Pinellas County 2023 Recycle Guide
The Sewer Division responsibilities include the operation, maintenance and repair of the City owned sanitary sewer collection system. The wastewater collection system consists of 37 miles of gravity sanitary sewer lines, 694 manholes, 2 miles of force main, 2 lift stations and 68 miles of service laterals and averages 7.45 million gallons per week. Wastewater treatment is provided by the City of St. Petersburg’s Southwest Water Treatment Plant.
The Water Department responsibilities include the operation, maintenance and repair of the City owned potable water distribution system. The water distribution system consists of 38.5 miles of 1½-inch to 4-inch pipes, 27.3 miles of 6-inch to 12-inch pipes, 5,723 water meters, 467 backflow preventers and 386 fire hydrants and consumption averages 6.7 million gallons per week. The water is provided by the City of St Petersburg.
This program comprises the construction, cleaning, maintenance and restoration of the City’s stormwater drainage system. Facilities include stormwater inlets, catch basins, culverts and transmission lines, retention/detention ponds and outfalls. This includes 120,000 feet of drain lines, 211 stormwater inlets, catch basins, culverts and transmission lines, retention/detention ponds and 7 outfalls. The City’s stormwater system is governed by a federal program called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This program is funded by a monthly stormwater fee, as well as grants from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).
The City of Gulfport is proud to offer its Private Waterline and Sewer Lateral Replacement Assistance Program. City Utilities residential water or sewer customers are eligible. Certain restrictions apply; see Guidelines.
City Utilities residential water customers are eligible for a rebate of up to $100 after the purchase and installation of a high efficiency water saving toilet. Certain restrictions apply; see Guidelines.
The Parks Division improves and maintains the quality of life within the community in environmental landscaping and turf maintenance. The division continues to create safe and aesthetically pleasing recreational facilities for all to enjoy.
Rechargeable Battery Collection
