ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) -- With systems still active in the tropics, environmentalists are talking with people in Tampa Bay about the impacts hurricanes have had on sewage spills, red tide, and more.
Flood water pushed into dozens of neighborhoods across Tampa Bay. It was somewhat of a relief when it receded but the waters took a lot back with them.
Advocates of clean water said water quality needs to be part of hurricane recovery if we want the area to thrive and learn from these events.
Public health, the economy, and infrastructure can all be issues after devastating storms, but advocates say we can't leave out the enormous environmental impacts.
"I can tell you firsthand I'll never forget the smell of seawater and sewage in my bedroom," said J.P. Brooker with Ocean Conservancy.
During a discussion with the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper Thursday night in downtown St. Pete, they pushed for clean water despite the challenges of a growing area with an aging infrastructure not equipped to deal with flooding and power outages.
Millions of gallons of wastewater were released from plants and pushed into neighborhoods. The city is aware of the problem.
"We are currently doing some improvements to the plants to upgrade some of the equipment that is approximately 50 years old and to elevate parts of the plants to get them to be more resilient to storm surge," said Claude Tankersley, the Public Works Administrator for the City of St. Petersburg.
Brooker said cities need to take a hard look at expensive investments and consider abandoning certain infrastructure. He also mentioned how storms, like tropical system Sara, can possibly push red tide into the Bay Area.
"I think there is a lot of potential here for a large bloom. This is the time of year that red tide should be growing and blooming in profusion. With a lot of nutrient inputs from hurricanes, I'm fearful we're going to see more," said Brooker.
There are also fish kills, marine debris, destruction to habitats, and new political realities all present problems, Brooker said.
But Brooker said they find hope in the conversations they are having in communities across the state.
"There are opportunities to work toward a clean and healthy Florida environment," said Brooker.
Advocates encourage local governments to look into more green infrastructure and invest in mangroves and seagrasses.