Mayor's Corner: Gene Brown

The City of Bradenton’s Water Reclamation Facility is a vital component of our utility infrastructure, crucial for maintaining continuous treatment operations while minimizing environmental impacts. The facility typically treats 6 to 7 million gallons of wastewater per day.

However, Hurricane Debby brought unprecedented rainfall to the City, overwhelming the facility with a continuous flow in excess of 27 million gallons of water. This storm has underscored a common challenge faced by many local governments: the need for resilient infrastructure to protect people, property, and the environment. The scale of this impact highlights the urgent need for strategic investments in our infrastructure.

To address these challenges, the City has embarked on a significant wastewater infrastructure upgrade plan. The first $48 million investment, approved by City Council] three years ago and currently under construction, will enhance treatment capacity and processing throughput, waterproof] portions of the City’s collection system to reduce stormwater infiltration, upgrade critical lift stations, and improve monitoring technology.

These improvement efforts will facilitate the needs of our community and help transform the Wastewater Reclamation Facility. It is crucial that we are fully prepared for future events, ensuring that our infrastructure supports our community’s prosperity and progress. One pressing issue is the inflow and infiltration, commonly referred to as I & I, of groundwater into the sewage collection system, particularly during wet seasons or rainwater during extreme weather events.

To better understand I & I, inflow is the direct entry of stormwater or surface water into the sewer system through manholes. Infiltration is the entry of groundwater into the sewer system through cracks or joints in sewer pipes or manholes. The increased volumes lead to excess flows, unauthorized discharge, backups, and increased treatment costs.

The City is investing more than $30 million to significantly reduce I & I into the system with our sewer line and manhole lining initiative. We have secured funding through state low-interest loans, grants, and additional funding sources to address these challenges, marking a significant step forward in improving infrastructure and aligning with our long-term goals.