FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CITY OFFICIALS AT NOV. 16 SPECIAL MEETING SELECT A FIRM TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART WATER TREATMENT PLANT
RIVIERA BEACH, FL. (Nov. 16, 2021)
The Utility Special District Board of Directors at a special meeting on Tuesday chose a firm to design and construct a new cutting-edge water treatment plant with the promise of delivering high quality drinking water while spurring economic development by employing locally.
The Utility Special District Board on Nov. 16 selected The Haskell Company and CDM Smith to replace its current antiquated 63-year-old plant, 800 Blue Heron Blvd., that processes water with outdated technology with a $100 million to $150 million state-of-the-art facility that uses the latest filtration technology the board will select at a later date. Three firms were up for consideration, including the awarded firm.
“I look forward for you to make our water great so that we will be known for the best water in Florida, not just in Palm Beach County,” Vice Chairperson KaShamba Miller-Anderson said. “It’s been a long time coming and I’m just really happy to be here with the group being able to make this moment happen.”
The firm – which will employ several local sub-contractors, educate City youth on the facility’s technology and maximize project awareness through public meetings – has constructed the City of Venice Water Treatment Plant, Houston Northeast Water Purification Plant and the Boynton Beach Water Treatment Plant.
After negotiating a contract with City staff, the firm plans to build the new facility in 36 months. The current aging facility uses an outdated lime softening method to treat the water, often leaving treated tap water with a harmless odor and discoloration. The plant is also consistently challenged in producing desired water quality, mainly due to inoperable equipment that is approaching the end of its functional life and technology limitations.
The Utility Special District has been working to provide the very best water to its customers by addressing issues such as color and hardness residue.
The new water treatment plant is just one component of the City’s innovative campaign, entitled
“Reimagine Riviera Beach.”
The City plans to reconstruct City Facilities that are in desperate need of attention. Many of the facilities were built in the 1970s and have not seen any significant improvements since.
As a result, these facilities can no longer accommodate the growing needs of city operations, therefore the
City has taken significant steps to address this matter. Actions have been taken as early as January 2020 and the City Council and City Staff are working together to achieve new city facilities for employees, residents, business owners and many other stakeholders to enjoy.
Through this initiative, the City will model and potentially spur the redevelopment
that is desired throughout the Riviera Beach community.
The City Council recently gave the greenlight to build a new City Hall at a preferred location on Broadway Avenue and allocated $1.5 million to make the move from the aging facility on Blue Heron Boulevard. The City plans to break ground on its Centennial Birthday on Sept. 29, 2022.