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Palm Bay moves to fast-track fix for troubled South Regional wastewater plant after capacity breach
Summary
City staff urged emergency contracting with qualified firms to bring the South Regional Water Reclamation Facility online after the plant exceeded its permitted capacity; council signaled support to proceed with time-and-materials work to accept flows within weeks and avoid regulatory violations.
Mayor Rob Medina and the city manager told the council on April 16 that the unfinished South Regional Water Reclamation Facility has already exceeded its permitted treatment capacity and faces heightened risk as the rainy season approaches.
City Manager Rahmadina Morton and utilities staff described repeated flow spikes (staff said flows exceeded the facility's 5.2 million gallons-per-day permit several times last year, including a peak above 5.4 million gpd in October 2025) and warned that delays in completing the plant could force the city to stop issuing new meters and could expose Palm Bay to regulatory and environmental penalties. Morton recommended invoking emergency procurement to speed repairs and commissioning of the facility so it can accept flows as soon as possible.
Staff said the emergency plan would use available contract funds remaining under the original contract (about $900,000) and seek up to roughly $1.5 million more on a time-and-materials basis to address critical safety, lift-station, and site-work issues. Cathcart Construction would serve as a primary contractor, supported by other local firms with wastewater experience. City staff and procurement said that a standard competitive procurement could delay work by six months — a timeline that greatly increases the risk of permit noncompliance — and that an emergency declaration is the fastest way to mobilize experienced contractors.
Gabriel Boden, utilities staff, told council that the immediate priorities are (1) resolve safety issues on site, (2) fix or complete the lift-station systems, and (3) repair or stabilize site access and drainage so crews can operate safely during wet weather. The city described a target of accepting sewer flows to the facility within about 45 days after mobilization, while acknowledging that full completion of all work will take longer.
Council members pressed staff on contingencies, inspection, and how the city will pursue recovery from the original contractor, RJ Sullivan. City attorneys said negotiations and legal work are underway and that the surety company has begun assigning subcontractors and equipment (staff reported assignment activity involving Kubota and other suppliers). Staff also said it will document costs and pursue recoveries as warranted.
Several members said the emergency leaves them little choice. Deputy Mayor Jaffe and others voiced support for moving quickly to protect residents and avoid discharge or capacity violations. Some councilors asked staff to guard public funds and provide frequent updates; procurement and legal staff said the emergency procurement process includes vendor responsibility checks and legal review.
What happens next: staff said they will proceed under emergency procurement authority, mobilize contractors, and return with updates and a plan for recovery action against the original contractor and the surety. The central short-term objective is to accept flows to avoid permit violations; longer-term follow-up will address remaining scope, site restoration and contractor recoveries.
