US Water hands operations to district staff; filter rehab work continues amid supply‑chain delays

US Water reported Thursday that it completed a transition plan and handed off day‑to‑day operations and compliance to district staff on Oct. 1, and that it will remain on site through the end of its contract in December to support the district and respond to emergencies.

Mike Miller, project manager for US Water, told the board the company has transferred operations and compliance responsibility to Riviera Beach staff and Charlotte Neville as the new compliance manager. Miller said US Water will continue to support operations and provide final deliverables, including an end‑of‑contract report and an updated maintenance schedule.

Miller and other presenters described an ongoing five‑phase filter bypass and rehabilitation project. The project team reported the work is complex: the existing filters contain a mix of media (anthracite and sand) and calcium carbonate buildup that has led to reduced filtration performance and physical obstructions. US Water and contractors said parts lead times and some equipment obsolescence are slowing progress on later phases.

Miller recommended extending the project timeline at least six months because some components are already funded but require additional time due to lead times and the meticulous rehabilitation work. He said phase‑1 and phase‑2 work is substantially underway for filters 1–8, with uncertainty about how far to proceed on subsequent phases until results are observed from early phases.

Andrea Medina, process mechanical engineer with Jotec, reported that four of five well rehabilitations are complete and that disinfection and subsequent collection testing are scheduled. Michael Hoisington, project director for JB, updated the board on drilling and well development work and said several wells are in development or being jet‑cleaned; he noted drilling and development tasks that can take months.

Board members asked staff for cost comparisons and operating figures for other municipalities. Joshua Neiman said he would provide comparative numbers but cautioned that Riviera Beach’s site is a greenfield location, which typically raises costs compared with redevelopment on existing sites.

The board did not take formal action to change the schedule at the meeting; Miller’s recommendation to extend the filter project timeframe will be managed through staff and contractor scheduling and funding already in place. The district will receive final deliverables from US Water at contract end in December.