As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and providing up-to-date information to our residents, I am pleased to share an update on our city’s Water and Sewer infrastructure for 2023.
Water Works, the multi-year program initiated in 2011, has been instrumental in improving City facilities and infrastructure related to waste. This comprehensive project includes all City utilities, such as our three water treatment plants, both wastewater treatment plants, and the water distribution and sewer collection system. We are also dedicated to improving the taste and smell of your drinking water.
We have partnered with two of the world’s leading engineering firms, Carollo Engineers and Kimley-Horn and Associates, to ensure the highest quality in our improvement efforts.
In Fiscal Year 2020, we entered into a contract with Veolia Water North America – South, LLC (Veolia) for the operation, maintenance, and management services for the City’s drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, and reuse utilities. We are nearing the completion of priority repairs on the East and West wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), with negotiations underway for the design of new WWTP facilities.
Our comprehensive wastewater master plan is now complete, and we have finished the dynamic wastewater and reclaimed water hydraulic models and conceptual design reports for both wastewater reclamation facilities. The final stage of the program will see the replacement of the City’s two wastewater reclamation facilities.
By the end of FY 23, we will have procured a construction manager at risk contractor to guide the final engineering, design, and construction over the upcoming year.
As part of our continual improvements, in late 2021, we completed upgrades at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. These enhancements increased system capacity by 30% and reduced chlorine demand by over 60%.
We are also focusing on improvements for Water Treatment Plant 3, which includes power resiliency for Water Treatment Plant 3 and Lift Station 7W.
Our reclaimed expansion project along SR 434 is nearing completion, marking a significant stride in our infrastructure development. This project includes a 12″ reclaimed water main installation and will transition 379 homes and the HOA irrigation accounts in Tuskawilla Crossing to reclaimed irrigation. We also plan to migrate Winter Springs Village to reclaimed water soon.
Looking ahead to FY 2024, we will adjust potable water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates to align with an estimated 4% CPI, effective from October 1, 2023. Our comparative rate position remains competitive and falls within the bottom half of rates charged by neighboring utility systems.
Designing the new East and West WWTP is expected to commence in late FY23, which will include onboarding a CMAR during the pre-construction phase. Funding for these costs will be sourced from ARPA and the State Revolving Fund loan.
We will continue to update you on our progress. For more information, please visit the Water Works page on our City’s website.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to enhance our city’s infrastructure.
