Three major sewage plants in South Florida could be reduced to shrinking islands in less than 50 years due to climate change.

The Miami Herald reports climate scientists believe rising sea levels will threaten some of the region's most vital facilities. It will also flood land, streets and neighborhoods nearby.

The scenario was drawn up by climate scientists as part of an environmental lawsuit.

Clean-water advocacy group Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper is challenging Miami-Dade's $1.5 billion plan to repair the county's troubled sewage system.

Most of the money would go toward repairing the county's aging, spill-plagued sewage system. Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper contends it would make more sense to move the plants to more protected inland sites.