Homestead accepts $3.5 million HUD grant to rebuild Pump Station 22, aims to lift moratorium

The City Council on March 19 accepted a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to rebuild Pump Station Number 22, a regional collection point that staff said receives flow from multiple upstream pump stations.

City staff told the council that a bypass and temporary pumping system have been installed and were operating during testing. The city manager said the federal funds will finance a permanent rebuild of the station; after construction and required monitoring the city hopes Miami‑Dade County will lift the moratorium that had restricted new sewer connections to the affected area.

City staff said the bypass system and temporary pumps have been pumping for the past two weeks and that the grant award will allow the city to proceed with a rebuilt pump station. Councilman Cannonball noted the moratorium had been a longstanding constraint on local development; staff clarified the moratorium notice had been in place for roughly a year while the facility work progressed.

The council approved accepting the grant by roll call. The motion was moved by Councilwoman Avila, seconded by another council member; the roll call recorded affirmative votes by the members present and the motion carried.

Why it matters: Replacing Pump Station 22 is a major infrastructure action for Homestead's wastewater system and is expected to allow additional properties to connect once the new station is in service and county approvals are met.

What's next: Staff said the city will seek to draw down HUD funding through an expedited procurement under the existing emergency declaration and return with a contract award for construction and a schedule for submission to Miami‑Dade County for moratorium removal.