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County reports 75% completion on Integrated Water Master Plan; contingency partially spent
Summary
Utility staff told commissioners the integrated water master plan is about 75% complete, targeted for delivery mid‑July 2026, and that roughly $272,000 of a $742,000 contingency has been authorized; additional studies (Sebastian septic‑to‑sewer feasibility and a pump‑station conversion) are underway.
Howard Richards, manager of capital projects for the Department of Utility Services, briefed commissioners on the Integrated Water Master Plan, a HDR Engineering project designed to address growth, aging infrastructure and regulatory change over a 20‑year planning horizon.
Richards said the plan will be delivered as modular tasks and that staff have completed the vision and performance assessment tasks. The project is approximately 75% complete and remains on schedule for a mid‑July 2026 delivery. He described an eight‑module work plan that includes demand forecasting, hydraulic modeling, treatment evaluations and infrastructure prioritization.
On contingency, Richards said the board approved $742,000 and staff have authorized about $272,000 so far—principally for additional public outreach collateral and extensive hydraulic model development and calibration. He described two additional contingency uses in progress: a Sebastian septic‑to‑sewer feasibility study that interfaces with the master plan, and work to convert a North County repump station into an inline station to meet future capacity needs.
Richards said staff plan a second round of public engagement in late spring/early summer after the technology master plan module is completed and that the work will feed a 20‑year CIP prioritization. Commissioners thanked staff for briefing them in advance of the meeting.
What’s next: Staff will continue model development, conduct the Sebastian feasibility study, proceed with the repump‑station work and present public outreach opportunities ahead of the plan’s finalization.
