Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department has made major investments in projects
By David Volz
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) can claim a year for the record books due to the landmark investment of more than $550 million in critical projects in one fiscal year as part of its multi-year, $7.8 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Under the leadership of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, WASD has successfully accelerated many critical water infrastructure projects. By investing in state-of-the-art utility upgrades, the department is proactively planning for future population growth, while also safeguarding the community’s natural resources and Biscayne Bay.
“Water is essential and these are essential projects,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “To date, $940 million has been invested into WASD’s infrastructure during the 23 months of my administration. These upgrades are needed to ensure continued uninterrupted service to our community. We are creating good jobs to grow our economy, and securing a win for the environment, our customers, and our workforce.”
Through these infrastructure enhancements, the department is building for climate change and sea level rise to ensure that the county’s system is resilient and sustainable, as well as implementing infrastructure-hardening measures enabling treatment plants to operate during severe weather events.
Access to clean, reliable, and safe drinking water is the foundation for a livable and thriving community. That is why more than 20 WASD water professionals are currently in Fort Myers Beach, aiding the local water utility recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
During the next week, these first responders will be assisting the city with re-establishing water services by evaluating the water distribution system and repairing leaks, in addition to troubleshooting and repairing two critical booster stations.
The devastation of recent major storm events in other parts of Florida and Puerto Rico is a critical reminder about the need to invest in infrastructure and building resilient systems prepared to weather future storms.
“We know that we are facing a range of climate-related impacts, including rising seas and storm surge that damage wastewater treatment facilities and drinking water infrastructure,” said WASD Director Roy Coley. “WASD is operationalizing flood design guidelines that incorporate climate change information for its wastewater treatment plants as part of a Capital Improvement Program.
“Living in South Florida, we are very aware of the impact a hurricane can have on our community. Therefore, the critical work that we perform year-round to ensure access to clean, reliable drinking water is even more apparent during times like these. Our long-term plans include the continuation of future-proofing our facilities and infrastructure hardening that will ensure uninterrupted service delivery to our 2.4 million customers.”
