Key’s wastewater

One year ago the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) called for a meeting with the property owners of Monroe Park to explain the steps the residents had to take to comply with the new wastewater treatment rules. They also explained the obligations of the KLWTD to its service area as well as the purchase and rebuilding of an inoperative central sewer plant. This project was mandated to be started in early 2015 or the residents could be faced with penalties up to $500 per day for non-compliance in 2016.

Here we are in 2016 and the KLWTD hasn’t taken the first step to start this project.

The last meeting, which was held on Jan. 5, was very disturbing when the final statement concerning this project came from Commissioner Andrew Tobin, who stated, “I suggest we do nothing,” so it was tabled and again nothing was accomplished.

If this is the case for doing nothing, then what happened to the $17 million Mayfield Grant that was granted by Gov. Rick Scott to the KLWTD for new sewer construction projects? If this grant was used for the purpose it was awarded, there would be no question of financial burden to anyone.

The entire project was estimated to be approximately $3 million. Why jeopardize the quality of surrounding waters and cause anguish to the residents if this money is available? If not, where did it go?

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Key’s wastewater."