Water treatment plant expansion progresses amid community concerns

During a recent government meeting, officials addressed several key topics, including the impact of recent heavy rainfall on city infrastructure, the launch of a new customer portal, and updates on the water treatment plant expansion.

City officials confirmed that while the rain did not affect new construction projects or the parking garage, it did cause some water intrusion issues in existing office spaces downtown. They assured that these issues are being monitored but emphasized that no immediate action is required regarding the new buildings.

The meeting also highlighted the successful launch of the Smart Choice customer portal, which is now live. Staff members are actively working to educate residents about the portal, particularly focusing on assisting older citizens who prefer traditional paper billing. Some residents have reported difficulties in opting back into paper billing after being automatically switched to online billing. Officials acknowledged these concerns and committed to investigating the issue further.

Additionally, updates were provided on the water treatment plant expansion. Phase 2 of the construction is progressing and is expected to be completed by February 27, with a budget of $192 million. Phase 3 is currently in the design stage, slated for completion by November 2025. Officials are exploring external funding opportunities to help mitigate costs for residents.

The meeting concluded with a request for data on the adoption rate of the Smart Choice portal, which officials promised to provide in future discussions.