Ruskin & Wimauma Resources & FAQs

This project will provide central sewer service. It is part of the Hillsborough County Water Resources Department septic to sewer conversion initiative and will convert septic systems and existing low-pressure sewer customers to the new vacuum sewer system and replace aging existing water mains.

$34.5M (Estimated)

The project includes the installation of new vacuum sewer mains, the construction of a vacuum pump station, and the replacement of aging water mains.

The Area A lies in the western region of Ruskin. The project area is generally located along W Shell Point Road, north of the Ruskin Inlet, and west of Graceful Sea Place. This area includes hundreds of properties that will be connected to the new sewer system.

You can enter your address in the GIS map on the project web page Ruskin Area A Project Information to check the status of the new pipelines being installed in your area as part of the vacuum sewer project.

This project will provide central sewer service. It is part of the Hillsborough County Water Resources Department septic to sewer conversion initiative and will convert septic systems and existing low-pressure sewer customers to the new vacuum sewer system.

$39M (Estimated)

The project includes the installation of new sewer mains and the construction of a vacuum pump station. It will be completed in a phased process.

The project area is generally located in the eastern region of Wimauma and is bounded by Lake Wimauma and Sheffield Street on the west, Bassa Street on the north, and Edina Street on the east. This area includes hundreds of properties that will be connected to the new sewer system and consists primarily of single-family, multi-family, and mobile homes, along with commercial, and institutional properties.

Septic systems work by slowly releasing wastewater through a drain field but aging or failing septic systems often do not fully treat waste. Untreated waste can then migrate to nearby bays, rivers, lakes, and drinking water wells. In extreme cases, failed drain systems can result in untreated waste in yards, creating a major health hazard. The reduction and elimination of septic systems is one way we can proactively improve and protect our health, our community, and our valuable waterways. Other benefits of removing septic tanks and connecting to sewer service include:

• Increased property value
• More land available for building and beautification
• Reduced maintenance and odors

• A vacuum collection system is a type of wastewater, or sewer, system, with three basic components: a vacuum valve pit, vacuum pipes, and a vacuum pump station.
• The vacuum valve pit, located in the public right of way, receives wastewater from the customer through a gravity lateral located on private property.
• Once a specific amount of wastewater collects in the bottom of the vacuum valve pit, the valve opens and wastewater from the vacuum valve pit is removed by the negative pressure in the vacuum main.
• The network of vacuum mains throughout the system deliver wastewater to the vacuum pump station. The contents from the vacuum mains enter the vacuum pump station at the collection tank.
• All wastewater in the collection tank is pumped from the vacuum pump station to the County’s force main located in the right-of-way and transferred to the regional wastewater treatment for disposal.
• See renderings and drawings of the proposed pump station (Ruskin)
• See renderings and drawings of the proposed pump station (Wimauma)

Land acquisition for vacuum pump station sites is underway for both the Ruskin and Wimauma sewer service areas. The Ruskin Area A pump station right-of-way has been acquired, and the location design is complete.

Construction will take place Monday through Friday, with occasional night and weekend work to occur on an as-needed basis to minimize traffic disruptions.

Construction will take place between the hours of 7 AM and 5:30 PM, with occasional nighttime work to occur as needed to minimize traffic disruptions.

Removing septic tanks and connecting to sewer service can increase property values, provide additional land for building and beautification, eliminate odors, and reduce property-owner maintenance costs.

Construction activities that require temporary road closures and/or detours will be clearly marked by signage to assist motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists navigating through and around the construction areas. In some cases, flagmen will be present to direct traffic. Temporary road closures and detour information will also be posted on the project alerts page and distributed as Alerts to those who register to receive them.

Normal access to properties will be affected as construction progresses along the streets within the project limits. Property owners will be notified prior to activities impacting normal access. Construction crews will work to minimize the duration of disruption and will ensure an alternate access route is maintained.

To avoid/minimize impacts to mail delivery and garbage/recycling pick-up, the contractor will work to coordinate with service providers concerning construction activities. Any service interruptions should be reported by calling the project at (813) 328-1555 or emailing projectinfo@RuskinS2S.com.

Residents, businesses, property owners and tenants located along active project areas will be notified of upcoming construction activities and associated impacts by public meetings, the project website, and mail or door-hanger notifications. Updates to project activities will also be available on the project website.

• Ruskin Area A project information
• Wimauma Area 1 project information

Residents, businesses, property owners and tenants located along active project areas will be notified of upcoming construction activities and associated impacts via door-hanger notifications. Updated project information will also be provided on the project website.

You can obtain more information on the project by calling the project hotline at (813) 328-1555, or emailing the community outreach team at projectinfo@RuskinS2S.com.

Most homes in private communities without public right-of-way or public utility easements will not be able to connect to the new vacuum sewer system. Property owners interested in connecting to the County sewer system in the future must submit an application to the County Water Resources Department for approval. For more information about the application process for a new sewer system connection, please visit this web page: Converting Your Septic System to County Wastewater

If a property owner chooses to convert to the new vacuum sewer system in accordance with the project connection period for their area, they will not have to hire their own plumber. A plumber will be contracted as part of the project to connect individual properties to the new vacuum sewer system and decommission the septic systems.

However, if a property owner decides to convert after the project connection period is finished, they will need to hire their own licensed plumber to connect the property to the vacuum sewer system at their own expense.