water utility

riviera Beach water Crisis Deepens as New Plant Faces Further Delays & $1.2M in Fines

Riviera Beach, FL – Residents of Riviera Beach are facing continued uncertainty regarding their water supply as construction on a desperately needed new water treatment plant has been delayed again. Originally slated to begin in January 2022,then pushed to June 2,2025,the project is now expected to commence in fall 2025 with substantial completion not anticipated until Spring 2029 [[1]].

This latest setback comes as the city grapples with over $1.2 million in fines from the Florida Department of Health due to over 100 violations of water quality regulations,including failures to report contamination and instances of fabricated test results [[1]].

The current issues stem from “systemic issues within the city’s water utility” and prompted officials to seek funding from the state, promising a June 2nd construction start. While crews are currently on-site, they are focused on building a well for the utility system, not the main treatment facility [[1]].

Concerns Mount Among Residents

The ongoing water quality concerns have led residents like Antwone Jones, a local business owner, to rely exclusively on bottled water for his family. “We definitely stick with bottled water,” Jones stated, expressing fear over potential contamination [[1]].

Plant Details & Potential Cost Increases

The planned state-of-the-art water treatment facility was initially estimated to cost between $100 and $150 million [[2]], however, recent reports suggest the cost could reach up to $300 million [[1]]. This potential increase could lead to notable rises in water and wastewater bills for Riviera Beach residents.

The city currently aims to maintain pH levels between 8.0 and 8.3, within the acceptable range of 6.5 to 8.5 [[3]], but the consistent violations highlight the urgent need for a modernized and reliable water treatment system.

Call to Action: Residents are encouraged to stay informed about water quality updates and consider alternative water sources until the new plant is operational.