South Cross Bayou 7401 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709

Welcome to South Cross Bayou, your dedicated local government office located at 7401 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida. As the largest wastewater treatment facility in Pinellas County, we are committed to serving our citizens, businesses, and visitors with a range of accessible services available online 24/7, including permitting, inspection scheduling, and fee payments.

Our facility, the South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (AWRF), has a rich history dating back to 1962. Originally a 5 million-gallon-per-day trickling filter plant, it has transformed into a state-of-the-art 33 MGD advanced wastewater treatment and resource recovery facility. Our commitment to sustainability is evident through our resource recovery program that produces 4.4 billion gallons of reclaimed water annually for irrigation, conserving precious potable water resources. Additionally, we recycle nearly all biosolids to produce over 6,000 tons of fertilizer, benefiting both our community and the environment.

In our pursuit of sustainable practices, we harness the energy of digester biogas during the pelletizing process, significantly reducing reliance on natural biogas and saving approximately $140,000 in 2016 alone. Our facility also serves as an educational platform, connecting theoretical learning with real-world applications through tours and presentations. We proudly host groups ranging from elementary schools to college students, Public Works Academy participants, and even Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc., under our motto “Innovate – Create – Educate.”

If you encounter any community issues, we encourage you to report them to Pinellas County Government via our website or mobile app. For more information on tourism in the area, please visit the county’s main resource, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. Join us in our mission to uphold environmental commitment through resource recovery and community education.