WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. \u2013 After years of wastewater problems and state scrutiny, the Winter Springs City Commission has unanimously approved $65.8 million for the construction of a new east water treatment facility.<\/p>\n
The price tag is significantly higher than earlier estimates from 2023, roughly 50-60 million dollars, drawing criticism from some residents who say the project should have been completed years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a long time. This plant should have been replaced 10 years ago,\u201d said Mayor Kevin McCann during the, prompting applause from those in attendance.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s wastewater issues have been ongoing. In January 2021, a large spill of reclaimed water led to a fish kill in a retention pond, with residents capturing video of the aftermath. At the time, city officials attributed the incident to aging pipes and outdated treatment infrastructure, saying they were working to maintain the system while planning for new facilities.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection later cited 24 possible violations related to the spill, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.<\/p>\n
Jesse Phillips, a mayoral candidate and founder of the Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative, said concerns about the city\u2019s water quality date back several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the number one issue of concern for the residents in our city, and it\u2019s been that way for years,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cPeople are tired of this not being addressed. Glad that it\u2019s starting to be addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phillips said his concerns became personal in 2019 when his family experienced health issues he believes were linked to drinking water.<\/p>\n
He also argued delays in moving forward with a new facility contributed to rising construction costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look at that as consequences of their failed promises for five years,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cThey just kept pushing things back and back and back.\u201d<\/p>\n
City leaders and residents have also raised concerns about maintaining the more than 50-year-old facility while waiting for the new plant to be completed.<\/p>\n
The project follows a 2025 report from the state Auditor General that identified eight findings related to city operations, including its handling of wastewater.<\/p>\n
City spokesperson Matthew Reeser said rising material costs have contributed to the increased price.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarket values for steel, for brass, for pipe, concrete, all of that is going to increase,\u201d Reeser said. \u201cSo yes, it is more than they originally anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the higher cost, Reeser said the city aims to avoid raising water rates for residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at us compared to others, we are pretty near the bottom when it comes to what we charge our residents,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Construction on the new east water treatment facility is expected to be completed by November 2028. City officials say they hope to begin work on a west water treatment facility around the same time.<\/p>\n
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