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JEA Expedites Plan to Replace Pipe at Southwest Wastewater Plant
Jacksonville, FL (April 30, 2004) - JEA now plans to award a contract to build a new half-mile long, four-foot-wide discharge (outflow) pipe at the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in May - six months ahead of the original schedule.
The existing outflow pipe, which was installed more than 25 years ago when the plant opened, developed a crack that could not be repaired. This allowed water treated at the plant to leak into the Ortega River instead of the St. Johns River, which is required through JEA's permit with the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
JEA had planned to commence work on the Southwest Outflow Project in October, but a worsening leak and concerns voiced by customers in the area prompted the utility to use emergency procurement procedures to expedite the work. An original cost of $3.4 million was budgeted to install the new pipe, which will be placed about 35 feet beneath the surface of the Ortega River. JEA hopes to complete the project by the end of summer.
In addition to procurement issues, JEA requires permits from several agencies to commence work.
"Thanks to their quick response, JEA has received assurances from the DEP,
the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), the Navy, and the City Parks and Recreation Department that they will issue permits or other necessary authorizations by mid-May to give JEA the ability to start and complete this project as quickly as possible," said JEA Vice President of Environmental Services Susan Hughes.
JEA will commence work immediately upon receipt of the bid and permits.
JEA is the eighth largest community owned electric utility in America providing electricity, water and sewer services to more than 750,000 accounts in Northeast Florida.
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