- April 28, 2024
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Palm Coast is predicting a 6.1% increase in revenues and expenses in the city’s water and wastewater operating fund this year as the city undertakes major water treatment upgrades, city staff told City Council members during a July 28 budget workshop.
Those include well and wellfield rehabilitation, installation of a new filter system at Water Treatment Plant No. 1, and the ongoing design and expansion of Water Treatment Plant No. 2, said Steve Flanagan, the city’s water and wastewater director.
The city plans to work with consultants to improve the water’s color, taste and odor in 2021-2022, a process that will cost slightly over a million dollars, and to add three new wells for Water Treatment Plant No. 2, at an estimated cost of $1.8 million.
"This way, people can be aware more quickly of water usage or water issues so we can help them correct the problem."
— MATT MORTON, city manager, on residential water metering equipment that alerts the city to unusual flow patterns that could indicate a water leak or a burst pipe
The city usually spends approximately half a million dollars per year on the rehabilitation of existing wells, he added.
The city is also conducting water main work in conjunction with the four-laning of Old Kings Road just north and south of Palm Coast Parkway. That’s expected to cost about $250,000 in fiscal year 2021, he said.
Mayor Milissa Holland asked about the possibility of fitting residences with sensors that would tell the city when a pipe is broken or there’s another infrastructure problem.
That’s part of the city’s radio metering program, Flanagan said: About 75% of the city is already fitted with transmitters, and all will be in the future as the city replaces old meters.
City Manager Matt Morton said the system tells the city when there’s a sudden spike in usage at an address — for instance, from a broken pipe.
“This way, people can be aware more quickly of water usage or water issues so we can help them correct the problem.”
Holland said she believed that would be especially helpful for snowbirds.
“This is very important, and I’m excited to hear that this is part of the solution that we’re driving,” she said.
