SFWMD Governing Board Approves Spending $1.9 Billion for Improvements to Water Management System Over the Next Five Years

Feb. 16, 2018

SFWMD Governing Board Approves Spending $1.9 Billion for Improvements to Water Management System

Over the Next Five Years

The SFWMD Governing Board approved a five-year Capital Improvement Plan to complete crucial restoration projects such as the expansion of Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, a component of Gov. Rick Scott's Restoration Strategies Plan. Click the image for a larger version.

West Palm Beach, FL - Last week, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board approved a plan to invest $1.9 billion in capital improvements. These improvements will aid in the District's mission of providing flood control, restoring water quality, ensuring water supply and restoring natural systems for the 8.1 million residents of South Florida over the next five years.

"This Board is committed to prudent use of taxpayer dollars while improving our water management system," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O'Keefe. "Whether it is for the protection of families and businesses or restoring and safeguarding the environment, an investment of local and state dollars in our infrastructure is crucial to achieving the District's mission."

The Governing Board approval ensures an update to the SFWMD's five-year Capital Improvement Plan that governs work on projects and infrastructure. The Governing Board budgeted $321 million for necessary capital improvements for this year alone.

Approximately $1.6 billion of the Capital Improvement Plan would be used for restoration projects, such as the massive C-43 West Basin


	The five year Capital Improvement Plan approved by SFWMD's Governing Board will complete crucial restoration plans such as the C-43 West Basin Reservoir. Click the image to watch a video about the C-43 Reservoir.

Reservoir that will improve water quality in the Caloosahatchee Estuary on Florida's West Coast when it is completed in 2022.

The five-year plan includes $64 million per year to build the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir, a project called for by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott. This project will help reduce damaging discharges to the northern estuaries and deliver clean water to the Everglades while achieving water quality standards set by state and federal laws.

The Governing Board also budgeted an additional $300 million for operations and maintenance projects to keep pump stations and water storage structures working properly to provide flood protection.

"From massive projects like the C-43 Reservoir and EAA Reservoir to the expansion of Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, these next five years will see the District undertake and complete major capital projects," O'Keefe continued. "This is a very exciting time in South Florida as we see taxpayers' investments come to fruition."

Media Contact:

Randy Smith | rrsmith@sfwmd.gov | Office: 561-682-2800 | Cell: 561-389-3386

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida's water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.

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