RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — A Riviera Beach utilities district board meeting took place on Wednesday with City Council members.
Residents in attendance were hoping to get some answers on what went wrong with communication about the issues with the water quality.
Riviera Beach
Video shows fight between 2 City Council members
"We've just had enough as residents," Riviera Beach resident Derrick Burns said. "People are getting rashes. I have to buy bottled water, gallons of water. I'm scared of the water. I can't drink the water."
Burns said he's been to multiple meetings that were supposed to address the water issues, and he's been waiting for answers.
Also at the meeting was Riviera Beach resident Cindy March.
"We just need better. We deserve better," March said. "No one gave us an apology yet that they're sorry for not letting us know, and I want to see that happen."
March said she was disappointed by the meeting, as it started with more than an hour-long presentation on the design project of the new water treatment plant.
The project is being designed and constructed by Haskell in a joint venture with CDM Smith.
Representatives said they hope to break ground on the new water plant this year and start digging wells this summer, with a completion date of 2027.
Utilities Director Michael Low estimates the cost will be about $200 million.
Low is on the radar of many residents who feel he could've done more to inform the public about water contamination in June that impacted the city's drinking water.
In January, when WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman asked Low why the public wasn't notified immediately, Low said that even though well water was contaminated, it was filtered at the treatment plant and was made clean, safe and drinkable by the time it reached people's homes.
During Wednesday's meeting, Riviera Beach Mayor Ronnie Felder asked Low to whom he reports.
Low explained he reports to Assistant City Manager Deidre Jacobs, who then reports to City Manager Jonathan Evans.
WPTV reporter Joel Lopez was denied an interview by Low during Wednesday's meeting. Low said he sent all his findings to the Florida Department of Health and is waiting on the results.
The city is putting $115 million worth of bonds on the March 19 ballot.
That is $55 million for parks, recreation and leisure projects, $35 million for a new police facility and $25 million for a new fire station.
Felder said he's in support of the projects but feels water issues should take priority.
"We could have a new fire station, police station, City Hall, but the residents, we won't have clean water, and I think we need to take all our efforts right now to just focus on that," Felder said. "All the other stuff will come, but if you're telling us this is our No. 1 priority, this is what I want to hold us accountable for."
