News Release - Water Expansion Project Complete

Palm Bay, FL – Palm Bay property owners living in the city’s geographical area known as Unit 10 now have access to the City’s municipal water system. This includes the area bounded on the north by Malabar Road SE; on the east by Ellington Avenue SE and Cownie Avenue SE; on the south by Bali Street SE and Bluefields Street SE; and on the west by Calabria Avenue SE, Christensen Avenue SE and Deauville Avenue SE. In fall 2007, the Utilities Department commenced with the installation of water distribution lines and fire hydrants throughout this area. As construction of the area was completed and approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, homeowners were allowed to connect to the water system. In May 2008, the final phase of construction in this area was cleared by DEP and property owners are now strongly encouraged to connect to the City’s water service.

“Throughout Unit 10, the Utilities Department installed approximately 62,459 linear feet of water lines, which equates to roughly 11.8 miles. In addition, we installed 101 fire hydrants,” explained Jason Yarborough, Utilities Director.
This water expansion project has provided over 1,000 properties with access to the City’s water services, and increased fire protection in the area.
“By installing fire hydrants and water lines throughout the Unit, we have been able to increase fire protection for the residents in this Unit,” explained Yarborough. “During the recent brush fires that have affected so many of our citizens, we have seen first- hand just how important water supply and pressure can be in terms of fire suppression,” said Yarborough.

“When I heard that City water was coming, I jumped at the chance to connect,” said Charles Greene, who lives on Battersea Avenue SE.

“Since the completion of this project, over 83 new customers have connected to the City’s water system and are enjoying the benefits of the City’s safe, reliable quality drinking water,” commented Yarborough.

“I was tired of dealing with the 80 pound bags of salt and storing chlorine in my garage with its corrosive effects,” continued Greene.
“My home now has a fire hydrant to the south and north of it, and that has saved me money on my homeowners insurance,” said Greene.
There are 616 developed properties within Unit 10, of which 115 were already established customers of the utilities department. Since installation of the new water lines, the Utilities Department has seen a 32% connection rate from homeowners in this area.

Leonard Allen, also a resident of Unit 10, said that connecting to the City’s water was well-worth the cost. “When we first moved in, we were on a private well. Now that we are connected to City water we have been able to eliminate purchasing bottled water for drinking water – now we drink the water straight from the tap,” said Allen.
“City water doesn’t have the odor like the water from our private well, and the City’s water is very palatable,” commented Allen.
Palm Bay Utilities is working diligently to install water lines and fire hydrants throughout the City.
The process may take several years to accomplish, but strides are being made. Recently, the Palm Bay Utilities Department broke ground on another water main line extension project which will benefit the area known as Unit 11. This area includes the section of the City bounded on the north by Brickell Street SE; on the east by Jaffe Avenue SE, Crawford Avenue SE, Grapefruit Road SE, and Alminar Avenue SE; on the south by Merrimac Street SE; and on the west by Everglade Avenue SE, Cherokee Road SE and Airoso Road SE. Construction in this area began in late April and is scheduled to be complete before April 2009. Since construction began on April 24, approximately 25 customers have already pre-applied for connection to the City’s water service.
Property owners in both Unit 10 and Unit 11 who are interested in connecting to the City’s water system are encouraged to contact the Palm Bay Utilities Department’s Customer Service Office at (321) 952-3420 or visit www.pbud.org<http://www.pbud.org/> to learn more about how they can Get Connected. Financing is available and financial assistance may be available for qualifying homeowners.

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