New Water Treatment Plant

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide the very best water to its customers by constructing a new cutting-edge Water Treatment Plant. The current Water Treatment facility is antiquated, utilizes out-of-date-equipment and technology that heavily relies on chemical usage.

BACKGROUND

The Utility Special District is working to provide the best water to its customers by addressing issues such as color and hardness residue. Although improvements are underway to address these concerns, staff is consistently challenged as a result of three fundamental circumstances: The plant was constructed in 1958, the equipment is out-of-date and has surpassed its useful life and the treatment technology is outdated and relies primarily on chemical usage. With these issues in mind, a new treatment facility is being planned with an estimated cost of between $100 million to $150 million. Accordingly, the District has begun the process to replace the outdated water treatment plant with a new facility by selecting a firm at a Special Meeting on Nov. 16 to design and construct a new cutting-edge Water Treatment plant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 Board selected The Haskell Company and CDM Smith to replace its 63-year-old plant, 800 Blue Heron Blvd., with a 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. 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 The current aging facility uses an outdated lime softening method to treat the water, often leaving treated tap water with a harmless odor and discoloration.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 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.

PROJECT PLAN

Step 1: Bids for design and construction will be received in July 2021. – Complete

Step 2: Top three (3) bidders will be presented to the Utility Special District Board for selection in November 2021. – Complete

Step 3: Negotiations of the contract will take place with the selected firm.

Step 4: Contract will go before the Utility Special District Board for approval. If approved, the City will proceed with the contract

Step 5: Demolition of current Water Treatment Plant and construction of new Water Treatment Plant in phases, so there is no disruption in service. The new facility will be completed in 36 months.

For press release on firm selection, click here.