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Port Richey reports record-low water loss, advances water-plant design and pursues grants
Summary
City staff told the council the city’s 2025 water-loss rate fell to 7.39%, the lowest on record, and reported the water-plant design is 90% complete; officials said they are preparing grant and state appropriation requests and expect a public presentation after July 9 design finalization.
City staff reported at the June 23 Port Richey council meeting that the city’s calculated water-loss rate for 2025 is 7.39%, which staff described as the lowest level in recent memory and a sign of improved infrastructure performance. The city manager said water-loss measurements account for main breaks, flushing and the duration between break occurrence and repair.
The council heard that water-plant design drawings are now about 90% complete. "We went over those 90% drawings with McKim and Creed," staff said, and a July 9 meeting will finalize small items such as fixtures and IT infrastructure before staff brings a construction-design presentation to council. Staff said they continue pursuing grants (including a BRICK application) and positioning the project as shovel-ready for state appropriation if funding becomes available.
Officials also updated the council on related capital and recovery items: a FEMA reimbursement check of roughly $112,670 was reported for category B damage from Hurricane Elaine, FEMA has obligated an estimated $170,000 for category F items, and four lift-station generators purchased under an HMGP grant have been delivered and will be scheduled for installation. Staff said one lift-station site lacks sufficient room and the city is negotiating purchase of an adjacent parcel for roughly $167,000 to accommodate placement and access.
Why it matters: A lower water-loss rate can reduce operating costs and signal effective maintenance, and having 90% design drawings and shovel-ready status strengthens the city’s competitiveness for state grants and appropriations. The city manager told council the full 2025 water-quality report will be posted on the city website and the water-plant design will return for council review after the July 9 architect meeting.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the architect review on July 9, present completed construction designs to council, continue the BRICK grant application through the end of July, and schedule generator installations as equipment and site-preparation are completed.
