ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg unveiled the city’s first purpose-built water testing laboratory on Tuesday, which protects the environment and aims to ensure drinking water flows during hurricanes.

What You Need To Know • St. Petersburg unveils new water testing lab on Tuesday • The storm-hardened facility cost about $9 million and has 8 labs • The lab tests stormwater, beach surface water, drinking water and wastewater • Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and Gulfport also utilize the regional asset

“Clean, healthy water is essential for everything we do,” said John Palenchar, Water Resources Director. “Whether it's the water we drink, the beaches we enjoy, or the environment that we depend on that supports us.”

The new facility cost about $9 million and is a nationall

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