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St. Petersburg hires new overseer of wastewater system

 
Lisa Rhea, shown here in Oldsmar in 2012, has been hired to take charge of St. Petersburg's wastewater system. [Times (2012]
Lisa Rhea, shown here in Oldsmar in 2012, has been hired to take charge of St. Petersburg's wastewater system. [Times (2012]
Published June 13, 2019

ST. PETERSBURG — City leaders recently filled a new management position to oversee the city's embattled wastewater system.

Lisa Rhea, who taught chemistry before getting her masters in environmental engineering, was hired in April as a senior water resources manager.

The former Oldsmar public works director takes over a system that is undergoing extensive renovation. The city is spending $326 million to improve its wastewater system as part of a consent order with the state after the 2015-16 sewage crisis, during which the city spilled up to a billion gallons.

Rhea was most recently a vice president at Jones Edmunds, an environmental and infrastructure company, according to her resume.