A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER BURT AARONSON

I was contacted by several communities after Hurricane Wilma because wastewater was backing up into streets and swales. The problem stemmed from a lack of power to the County's 790 wastewater pump stations known to many of us as lift stations.

Generators can be used at lift stations to keep the wastewater moving. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne gave our County's Water Department a wake-up call. The Department revamped its emergency plans and purchased additional generators. Hurricane Wilma made the Department realize that because of the great number of lift stations and the limited staffing resources, it was not able to place an emergency generator at every lift station. The Loggers Run community houses a lift station that services its community and I was approached about the possibility of Loggers Run purchasing a generator to service its lift station.

The Water Department and the County Attorney's office reviewed the request. Together, they developed an agreement that can be used for any homeowners association. On March 14th, the County Commission approved this standard agreement. Property/Homeowners Associations can now purchase new emergency generators to be transferred to the County who will in turn operate the generator at lift stations within the community. This will help the Water Department to improve service during emergencies. The existing generators will be able to serve the lift stations more efficiently which will reduce the number of backups into our streets and swales. If your Property/Homeowners Association would like to review the agreement, please contact my office.

As individuals, we can all help to alleviate overloaded lift stations in the aftermath of power failures and hurricanes. The Water Department suggests the following. Take shorter or fewer showers. Delay washing clothes. If you use an automatic dishwasher, run full loads and use the water conservation mode if your machine has one. Do not use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket that could clog the pipeline. While waiting for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a container and use it to water houseplants.

As always, I invite your comments on any issue of interest to you. As your Commissioner, I am here to help you. You may write me at 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401 or call my staff at 276-1310 or toll free at 877-930-2205. You can also email me at baaronso@co.palm-beach.fl.us