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Delray Beach to move forward on $280 million water treatment plant; commission gives consensus to begin procurement and financing steps
Summary
City consultants told the commission that EPA PFAS rules forced a redesign and cost increase to a new treatment plant that will replace the existing facility. Commissioners gave consensus to begin long‑lead procurements, advertise deep injection wells, pass reimbursement steps and begin multi‑year rate adjustments to fund bond financing.
The Delray Beach City Commission on March 11 signaled support for moving ahead with procurement and financing steps for a new water treatment plant after consultants said new federal PFAS rules made full replacement the only feasible option.
Consultants from CDM Smith and financial advisers from PFM and Willdan told commissioners that what began as a modification project in 2023 is now estimated at about $280 million and will require a staged bond financing program, long‑lead equipment purchases and two deep injection wells to handle concentrate from the process.
Why it matters: Officials said the project is needed to meet current and anticipated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for contaminants of emerging concern and to maintain the city’s drinking‑water supply. The scale of the upgrade will change utility financing and customer rates for several years.
City staff and consultants said the change in scope followed EPA actions in early 2024 that tightened PFAS-related requirements. CDM Smith said reuse of the existing…
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