Auburndale City Commission wants to make changes in reclaimed water system

AUBURNDALE – Florida Polytechnic University will be getting reclaimed water for irrigation from the city a little later than planned.

Today, the Auburndale City Commission will consider amending a cooperative funding agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District that will help to pay for the project.

If it’s approved, the amendment will update a 2014 agreement between Swiftmud and the city to pay half the cost of the project. The city and the university were to pay for the rest of the cost.

“This is a budgeted project included in the city’s current budget and the five-year public utilities capital improvement plan,” said City Manager Bobby Green.

The city has planned for several years to provide reclaimed water for irrigation and aesthetic purposes to the university.

The project also required a 2012 interlocal agreement with Lakeland to allow Auburndale to extend reclaimed lines into Lakeland’s utility service area.