Water Leaks in North Bay Village

North Bay Village Commission Meeting of Tuesday February 11, 2014 under Good & Welfare addressed water leaks that have been popping up in different areas of Treasure Island.  

A resident that lives in Adventure Avenue complained about a water or sewer leak in front of her home. This resident was very concern because despite calls and reporting it to the village manager had yet to be resolved.  The homeowner also pointed out that another home on West Treasure Drive had what appeared to be a leak as well.  The concern neighbor was worried that the water had a pungent smell and that could be sewer related.  Further stating that someone from the Village Public Works Department had come to look at the problem and had place an orange traffic cone on the spot where the water appeared to come from. A few days later the orange cone was taken away.

The Mayor did her usual surprised and shock expression then asked Public Works Director Rodney Carrero-Santana to address it.  Mr. Carrero explained that there were aware of five such leaks and that two had been fixed.  That currently was getting estimates to fix the remaining three. He explained that it would be cheaper to get an estimate to fix all three.  Mr. Carrero assured everyone that it was not sewer water but potable water.

The problem here is that the Commission and Public Works Director have been aware of the water and sewer pipes infrastructure deterioration for quite sometime now. These leaks are signs of old and frail pipes that need immediate attention. Leaks in nature will not get smaller but with time if ignored will get bigger and bigger.

This was addressed with the need to change the water meters because water bills are underestimated with the old meters. More money you said, now they paying attention! I cannot give you the details of how much it will cost to update the sewer and water pipe infrastructure because I don’t have those figures. However I can tell you that the money is not there. We probably have to raise the money with bonds and that will increase the debt millage for fiscal year 2014-2015 budget.  

This is not fictional or imaginary is a real problem only the budget year may change. The numbers, time table and cost are yet to be determined but the sooner we address them the less impact it will have.  Stay tuned more to come…

HONESTLY OPINIONATING

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

THE COUNT DOWN HAS BEGUN

Mario Garcia

February 14, 2014