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Mayor’s Message

he city continues to make amazing progress in updating our infrastructure – to
replace old underground pipes at risk of breaking and to enhance our
T capacity, as our population grows and as we seek ways to address the impact
of climate change.
The most recent step the City Commission has taken is to expedite the replacement of
the aging Fiveash Water Treatment Plant. We have agreed to negotiate a deal with a
consortium led by IDE Technologies to build and operate a new plant that will be
located next to our Prospect Wellfield site at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. IDE
comes to the table with major international experience in the development of water
plants. By teaming up with them in this public-private partnership, we can construct the
plant faster than if we had pursued traditional methods.
Once we finalize a contract, IDE expects to be able to build the plant and have water
production underway by 2025. The plant will use state-of-the-art technology, including
nano-filtration and ion exchange, to produce clean, clear, high-quality water for our
residents and visitors. Yes, clear water. There will no longer be any yellowish hue.
Why did the city have to replace the Fiveash plant? We’ve had two major reports tell us
Dean Trantalis that the 68-year-old facility has a real risk of failure. It would likely not withstand the
Mayor,
City of Fort Lauderdale impact of a major hurricane, and the consultant tells us that renovation and upgrades
dtrantalis@fortlauderdale.gov are no longer a viable option.
The new water treatment plant is not the only news to share when it comes to
city infrastructure.
This past month, we saw even more evidence of the urgency of that last goal – to ensure
Fort Lauderdale is a resilient community that is as protected as possible from sea-level
rise and flooding. A special task force of the federal government issued the 2022 Sea
City Hall, 8th Floor Level Rise Technical Report, and the data is quite disturbing. The report stated that the
100 N Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 rise in ocean height over the next 30 years could equal the total rise seen during the
past 100 years.
This means that sea levels along the coastline are expected to rise between 10 to 12
inches above today's current levels by 2050. It also reports an upward trend in the
frequency and intensity of high tide coastal flooding events, such as our annual autumn
King Tides. Hurricane storm surges will also increase and stretch farther inland. This
report should be a wake-up call to all coastal cities, and we need to take the critical
steps necessary to address our vulnerabilities and be prepared for the future.
This City Commission has taken the lead in prioritizing climate resiliency.
Office Contact
Scott Wyman The city's infrastructure master plan incorporates sea-level rise
Chief of Staff predictions and how they will affect our way of life.
Office of the Mayor The city is investing $200 million through
swyman@fortlauderdale.gov
954-828-5314 stormwater bonds to alleviate
flooding vulnerabilities.

CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE

14 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org