On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) presented a $1,600,000 check in federal funding to support the City of Treasure Island’s Wastewater Collection System Lining Project, marking a major step forward in strengthening critical infrastructure and improving long-term wastewater reliability.
The funding, secured by Rep. Luna, will help the City line portions of its existing wastewater collection system to reduce stormwater and groundwater infiltration, improve system performance, and lower long-term maintenance costs. By strengthening the system before failures occur, the project will help reduce the risk of unsanitary backups, overflows, and service disruptions during heavy rain and major storms.
“The residents and businesses of Treasure Island deserve infrastructure they can count on, especially when heavy rain and storms put older systems under pressure,” said Rep. Luna. “This funding will help the City make necessary improvements now, before costly failures put public health, families, and visitors at risk. I worked to secure this critical funding so our community can stay ahead of these challenges instead of reacting after the damage is done.”
The City of Treasure Island has worked to identify a cost-effective path to address long-standing wastewater infrastructure challenges without the expense and disruption of full system replacement. This federal funding will support a comprehensive lining project that extends the life of existing pipes while improving the efficiency and reliability of daily operations
“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna for securing this critical $1.6 million in federal funding to strengthen our wastewater collection system,” said Mayor John Doctor. “This investment will allow us to modernize our infrastructure and represents a major step forward in ensuring reliable, efficient, and resilient operations for years to come.”
The City owns and operates more than 122,000 linear feet of predominantly vitrified clay pipes installed between the 1940s and 1970s. After decades of service, portions of the system have become prone to cracks that allow stormwater and groundwater to enter the wastewater system, increasing strain during normal operations and heavy rain events.
The lining project will reduce infiltration levels from the current 45–65% to a goal of 10%, extending the life of the pipes by up to 50 years and delivering both immediate and long-term benefits to the community.
Rep. Luna presented the check at the Treasure Island Community Center alongside city leadership, including Mayor John Doctor, Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez, Commissioners Arden Dickey, Arthur Czyszczon, and Chris Clark, City Manager Charlie Van Zant, Director of Government and Public Affairs Bobbie Shay Lee, and Public Information Officer Jason Beisel.