Why are you expanding the Wastewater Treatment System?
North Port has grown considerably in the last few years and our population is now estimated to be over 50,000. Several new developments are being built with others planned, and commercial growth is booming. To achieve our desire for “smart growth,” our infrastructure must expand to accommodate the new residents and businesses that we will be seeing in the next few years. In addition, because we want to continue to attract services and commercial growth, we must be able to support the infrastructure they will require.
What is the status of funding the $50 million wastewater expansion?
Because the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) offers substantial long term savings over the issuance of bonds, we have applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for SRF loans for this project. The FDEP is expected to issue new bonds for these loans in the Fall of 2007. Click here for the SRF loan page on the FDEP website.
When will construction of the expansion begin?
We plan to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in Fall 2007 and depending on the SRF funding the project will move forward soon after.
Will this expansion increase the amount of reuse water available for irrigation?
We have issued a Request for Proposal for a “Reuse Master Plan” and our selection of an engineer will be submitted to the City Commission shortly for approval. The Reuse Master Plan will give us amounts and direction to take on extending reuse after the wastewater expansion.
Will the expansion program enable more platted lot areas to connect to central sewer?
North Port staff are researching infrastructure expansion to platted lot areas and compiling information that it will present to the City.Commission this summer. The current expansion program will be an integral part of any future infrastructure expansion projects.