Long-awaited meeting on Waterways Sewage Treatment Plant set
A special Town Hall meeting on the Waterway Estates Waste Water Treatment Plant will be held Monday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m., at the Lee County Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.
“I look forward to updating our Waterway Estate neighbors on the progress of the demolition and removal of the Water Treatment Plant from the Waterway Way Estates location,” said Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall “I am very appreciative of the time and efforts of the neighbors to stay engaged in this process.”
It is technically considered the Waterway Estates Wastewater Diversion Project, said Lee County Utilities Director Pamela Keyes in a prepared statement. At the meeting, we will provide details about this upcoming construction project and address questions and concerns you may have.”
The purpose of this project is to divert all sewer flows from the Waterway Estates sewer service area to the Del Prado Wastewater Treatment Facility currently owned by the Florida Governmental Utility Authority, she continued.
According to officials, once this project is complete the Waterway Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant will be decommissioned. The project will require adjustments to the sewage pipes along the diversion route, which will result in construction in front of homes and businesses along the planned route.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2011 and the goal is to complete the diversion by September 2012.
At the town hall meeting, several officials plan to outline the project scope, describe the impact to residents and businesses, present estimated timelines and provide emergency contact information.
They will also provide information on how to obtain information regarding the project status through a dedicated project hot line and website.
This is great news to North Fort Myers Civic Association president Gregg Makepeace. “We (the Civic Association) started in earnest to be involved in 207 when the county first considered and then bought the property,” he said.
“As many people that can should attend the meeting, to be informed. I think this is a big plus for the neighborhood, especially environmentally speaking.”
It is an ecological situation, he said. “The idea of the treatment plant being removed from the current site might eliminate the possibility of any type of river pollution. To me, that is a really big deal.”
He said that he has long been concerned about what could happen if the plant would remain there – an original consideration by the county – in some event, possibly a storm surge.
There is no need to register for this town hall meeting, which is open to the public. If you are unable to attend the meeting, it will be available for viewing at www.LCUimprovements.info.
The meeting will also be videotaped and placed on the District 4 webpage for future reference.
For more information you can email or call Commissioner Hall at dist4@leegov.com or call 533-2226.