'Long overdue,' Delray Beach receives nearly $11 million to help fund new water treatment plant
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach is getting a big economic boost for a much-needed new water treatment plant.
After touring the city's existing 70-year-old facility with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, Mayor Shelly Petrolia announced that Delray Beach has received nearly $11 million in federal funds toward the construction of a new one.
It's a big help for the city, which approved a plan in April 2021 for a new plant that could cost up to $60 million.
More: After Delray wins one wrongful city manager termination suit, it's hit with another
More: Delray Beach City Manager: Reclaimed water system is improving | Commentary
More: Delray utilities official gives up plant operator's license after watchdog allegation
The city has had problems with reclaimed water seeping into drinking water in recent years. In December 2018, when city officials falsely disclosed that there were no reports of illness linked to the contaminated drinking water, some were aware of at least one such report, an inspector general's report later found.
The American Rescue Plan Act funds will help the city improve the quality, safety and reliability of its water infrastructure systems.
"The city is long overdue for a new water treatment plant," Petrolia said. "When I was first elected, it was one of the things I wanted to make sure took place during my tenure. I can honestly say I'm going to be here at least until we break ground and get partially through, so that's exciting for me."
More: Inspector General: Delray Beach officials hid illness linked to contaminated drinking water
The new plant, expected to be completed in 2026, will ensure a state-of-the-art water treatment process, advance the city’s monitoring and control systems, improve water pressure and serve the needs of the community.
“Access to clean, safe, and affordable water is imperative to our health and our economy,” said Frankel D-West Palm Beach. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a historic investment in our country's infrastructure with billions of dollars dedicated to improving water systems.”
As new residents move into the city and place more demand on these resources, the mayor said the new treatment plant arrives at a critical time.
The city has already conducted feasibility and water utilities rate studies. By early spring, it will determine how to fund the new water treatment plant.
The 16-square-mile city is providing drinking water to 69,000 residents. The original plant has undergone extensive renovations, but major components are more than 50 years old and city officials admit the monitoring and control systems are outdated.
The problems within the Utilities Department go back more than three years and may have resulted in several residents drinking partially treated sewage water in December 2018.
Reclaimed water is partially treated wastewater that is used to water lawns. Separate lines are installed for tap water and for sprinklers; backflow preventers are also supposed to be installed to stop reclaimed water from getting into the tap water.
vvillanueva@pbpost.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach receives nearly $11 million for new water treatment plant
