WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – The city of Winter Springs now says it will break ground on a new water treatment facility by the middle of next year to replace the failing facilities the city has been trying to bandage for years.
Winter Springs has racked up fines and violations from the state over the last several years for sewage spills and other problems at the old facilities.
Wednesday morning city commissioners got an update from city staff on the soon-to-be replaced east water treatment facility currently in the design phase, now estimated to cost $71 million.
[See video below about Winter Springs commissioners consider hiking monthly stormwater fee]
The city is finalizing how exactly to pay for it.
The east facility is expected to be completed in 2028, then replacement of the west facility will begin.
Commissioners also got a look at this city’s plans to manage and update the drinking water system over the next five years.
To read the city’s presentation on water facilities, see below:
Commissioner Victoria Bruce asked staff about replacing water mains.
“The water main replacement, does this mean that all the water drinking water piping will be replaced throughout the entire city?”
“Sorry, but not for $5.9 million,” staff responded. “Those projects are being identified from the potable water inventory replacement plan.”
[Watch video below highlighting how Central Florida cities are preparing for hurricane season with proactive approach to stormwater management]
The mayor of Winter Springs asked engineers directly if the city’s drinking water is safe.
The water is “excellent,” the mayor was told.