The holiday season is in full swing and many of us have checklists of things that must get done – presents to buy and wrap, cards to send, and family and friends to visit. This time of year also allows many of us to pause and reflect on what has happened over the previous 365 days as well as plan for a brighter future.
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is no different. In 2013, WASD began a 15- to 20-year project that will cost $12.6 billion. This was a result of the fact that our treatment plants and infrastructure are aging – up to 80 years old in some cases – and need to be upgraded or replaced.
The county’s water and sewer infrastructure has been serving more than 2.3 million residents, as well as thousands of visitors and tourists every day. The fact is that time and usage have taken their toll, and we have to act now to preserve the quality of our water and integrity of our wastewater system.
As of this past October 1, there was an 8 percent rate increase for customers, yet the average residential bill has only risen $3.36 a month. So, for what amounts to pennies more a day per household, we’re able to invest toward improvements that will help us to continue delivering superior services to our current and future residents for decades to come.
WASD is the largest water and sewer utility in the Southeastern United States and even with the rate increase, our rates remain among the lowest in the state and country. Upgrading the county’s infrastructure will also result in improved fire capacity, environmental improvements, economic growth and increased capacity.
WASD recently completed its first major capital improvement project – a complex $77.5 million utility relocation project at Government Cut that increases both water and sewer capacity for the county’s northern municipalities. It was completed both on-time and within budget.
WASD is investing in the future because our water is worth it.