By Mary Thurwachter
Work on the long-awaited drainage project on Hypoluxo Island began on May 28.
The area has been plagued with flooding for several decades. During budget talks in 2011, the Lantana Town Council decided to dip into its reserves to do something about it.
Last year, the council awarded a $711,765 contract to Intercounty Engineering Inc. of Pompano Beach to do the work on North Atlantic Drive, Southeast Atlantic Drive and Beach Curve Road.
Then, at the May 14 town meeting, a $137,665 contract for a 6-inch water main extension from East Ocean Boulevard south along North Atlantic Drive was awarded to AKA Services Inc. That was significantly less than the $171,000 budgeted for that portion of the drainage project.
“This will increase the water pressure for fire hydrants and in general,” Mayor Dave Stewart said.
Town Manager Deborah Manzo said work on the water main extension should be completed within 90 days after construction begins. The entire area will be paved after drainage work is complete.
In another matter of concern to island residents, Erica Wald, who lives on South Atlantic Drive, addressed the council about notice given for the May 10 boil water notice issued to residents on the island.
“I got home from work, gave the dog some water and put some soup on the stove,” she said. “Then I checked phone messages and got the reverse 911 call about the boil water notice. I threw the soup out and worried about my dog.”
She asked if the town could put up signs in the neighborhood to alert residents of boil water orders.
Stewart said town staff put door hangers about the water on each home in the area.
Jerry Darr, the town’s utilities director, said that besides the door hangers and reverse 911, TV stations were notified to help get the word out.
“Everything that could be done was done,” he said. About 350 homes were affected in addition to The Carlisle and the beach.
Water in the area was turned off for about an hour due to bridge construction.
“The construction company hit an unmarked 2-inch water line and it snapped,” Darr said. It happened on the east side of the bridge on the north side of Ocean Avenue where the sidewalk had been pulled up. “We had to shut off the water to get to it,” he said. “As required by the Health Department, the boil water notice was given for 72 hours. It was a precautionary measure.
“Bacteriological surveys were done before the notice was rescinded on (the following) Monday.” Ú
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