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Tequesta approves design authorization for PFAS treatment improvements; staff to seek settlement funds
Summary
Council approved a work authorization to design multi‑phase PFAS treatment upgrades for the village’s water system, with FY27 construction targeting PFAS treatment at surficial wells and FY28 work to expand RO capacity; staff will attempt to encumber eligible costs against a PFAS settlement before end‑of‑June deadlines.
The Village Council approved a work authorization to proceed with design of PFAS treatment improvements for the water system, directing staff to encumber funds and attempt to pursue reimbursements from PFAS settlement funds.
Allison Berg, the utilities director, said the project will proceed in two phases: Phase 1—PFAS treatment on the surficial well system (construction planned for fiscal year 2027); Phase 2—work to add RO capacity to offset any production loss (construction planned for fiscal year 2028). The design scope includes an evaluation to determine whether a degasification tower is required to manage disinfection by‑products.
Council members stressed fiscal caution and procurement transparency. One councilor asked whether subspecialty electrical work (a subconsultant’s scope) could be contracted directly to reduce markups; staff said direct contracting would require vendor procurement steps because the subconsultant is not on the village's on‑call CCNA list. Allison Berg said she would ask the prime consultant (Kimley‑Horn) whether the subconsultant scope could be carved out if that offered savings, but also noted time constraints tied to the June 30 encumbrance deadline for settlement claims.
Council approved the work authorization by voice vote. Staff intends to encumber the design funds in a line tied to PFAS remediation and to submit eligible encumbered costs to the settlement process; council acknowledged reimbursement is not guaranteed and may be partial.
Next steps: staff will confirm procurement options for subconsultants, finalize the design contract, begin design activities and submit encumbrance documentation for potential settlement reimbursement. Any construction authorization will return to council for approval.
