WCOM NEWS

9-01-04

Miramar set to decide on sewage treatment

MIRAMAR--Miramar's days of relying on another municipality to treat its sewage may be coming to an end.

Starting in October, the city's sewer plant will be capable of treating wastewater that is currently sent to Hollywood. Tonight, commissioners will decide whether to create a 10-foot utility easement for the Florida Power & Light Co., the final step to redirecting sewage from the city's east side to the plant on Pembroke Road near Interstate 75.

City Manager Robert Payton said city officials have concerns about continuing to contract its sewage treatment. "So Miramar's aim is to build enough capacity that we do not have to rely on Hollywood," he said.

Dania Beach, Pembroke Pines, Hallandale Beach, Miramar and a section of unincorporated Broward County have contracts with Hollywood for sewer services.

Earlier this year, Hollywood commissioners awarded Houston-based Schwing Bioset an $18 million contract to build a plant that turns sewer sludge into fertilizer. Some Hollywood residents and officials with the cities that have contracts with Hollywood questioned the selection of Schwing Bioset over another company that offered a lower bid and was ranked higher by the city's selection committee.

In response, Broward State Attorney Michael J. Satz's office has opened a criminal investigation into the selection procedure, and Hollywood commissioners have delayed signing the contract with Schwing Bioset.

Last year, Miramar paid Hollywood $2.6 million to treat about 5 million gallons of sewage daily.

Over the past few years, the city has been laying pipes to redirect all the sewage to its plant within four years. Currently, sewage east of Palm Avenue is treated at the Hollywood plant.

Officials are negotiating with Hollywood to start sending less sewage each year, said Brij Garg, director of Miramar's Public Works and Utilities.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Lori Sykes) 9-01-04