How close is Delray Beach to meeting the state law to reuse more of its wastewater flows by 2025?
“I’m confident that we can meet the 2025 deadline to reuse 3.9 million gallons a day,” Hassan Hadjimiry, the city’s Utilities Department director, said March 24 in response to a question posed at the virtual meeting of the Beach Property Owners’ Association.
The city currently reuses nearly 3 million gallons a day through its reclaimed water system, Hadjimiry said. Reclaimed water is partially treated wastewater that is usable for irrigation only.
Two reclaimed water projects are planned for the mainland east of the interstate, Hadjimiry said. The first will bring reclaimed water to City Hall on Northwest First Avenue and the surrounding areas.
Next year, plans call for reclaimed water to be installed at the Plumosa School of the Arts, a public school on South Seacrest Boulevard.
The 2025 goal of using 60% of wastewater became state law in July 2008. Delray Beach and Boynton Beach jointly operate the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Prior to April 2009, the plant routinely dumped treated wastewater into the ocean through a 36-inch outfall pipe in Delray Beach.
The plant now is restricted to using the outfall pipe during heavy rains, for testing its pumps and from unknown “plant upsets.”
— Jane Smith
Comments