“Free chlorine” treatment ends for all City water customers
Feb 20, 2008 - Mayor's Office, Public Utilities
(Wednesday, February 20, 2008) The City of West Palm Beach has ended the temporary use of the free chlorine disinfection method for all of the City’s water customers. Water is now being treated using the “chloramine” (pronounced “chlor-uh-meen”) disinfection method, which was the City’s standard treatment method prior to recent free chlorine treatment.
“We have made significant progress in our efforts to improve the quality and reliability of the City of West Palm Beach’s water,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel. “The process of upgrading our entire water system will continue to be a priority.”
The City had continued to use the free chlorine treatment method in recent weeks due to repairs and upgrades being made to a storage tank, and not because of bacteria levels in the water. The expert group that is currently operating the water treatment plant, U.S. Water Services, says the overall water quality has been greatly improved in recent months.
Residents with questions may call the City’s 24-hour hotline, 561-822-2222.
City announces hiring of new Utilities Director
Feb 14, 2008 - Mayor's Office, Public Utilities
(Thursday, February 14, 2008) Mayor Lois J. Frankel is pleased to announce that the City of West Palm Beach has hired Yasser Abouaish to be the City’s Director of Public Utilities. Abouaish is expected to begin his duties on February 19, 2008.
“Mr. Abouaish brings tremendous experience and expertise to the Department of Public Utilities and the City of West Palm Beach,” said Mayor Frankel. “He will be an excellent addition to the City’s team as we continue to improve the quality of our water and deal with our ongoing drought.”
Abouaish has 25 years of experience in water management, having working in both the public and private sectors. He has experience in program development, engineering, planning and design, system construction, operation and utility management. Abouaish was recently the Senior Program Director of Earth Tech, Inc., an environmental, water and wastewater firm. From 1996-2005, Abouaish was employed by the Minneapolis (Minnesota) Water Works, most recently as Water Superintendent.
Abouaish has a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Cairo University in Egypt.
“Free chlorine” treatment extended by one week
Feb 13, 2008 - Mayor's Office, Public Utilities
(02/13/08) In accordance with a program recommended by the Palm Beach County Health Department, the City’s altered water chlorination methods will be extended by one week, from February 14, 2008 to February 20, 2008.
The current extension is necessary so that crews can continue repairs and upgrades in a water storage tank and is not due to bacteria levels in the water.
Continuing on February 14, 2008, a “free chlorine” water treatment will be used to provide a somewhat stronger disinfection process than the “combined chlorine” treatment which is normally used. The City will revert back to the “combined chlorine” method on February 20, 2008.
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach Utility customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in the tap water during this period; however, these temporary conditions will not cause adverse health effects. Tropical fish tank owners, hospitals and residents with pools should be aware of the chlorination changes and make adjustments accordingly. Any questions should be directed to the City of West Palm Beach Central Operations Center, (561) 822-2222.
WPB-TV Service Interruption Planned
Feb 11, 2008 - West Palm TV
Due to equipment upgrades being made by Comcast Cable, the City of West Palm Beach’s government access channel, West Palm TV (Comcast Cable channel 18), will undergo a planned service interruption on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The planned service interruption is necessary because of improvements being made by Comcast Cable to fiber cable lines.
Get Your Fill of Fresh Strawberries at the WPB GreenMarket
Feb 07, 2008 - Community Events, Mayor's Office
Get your baskets ready for some of Florida’s best strawberries as the West Palm Beach GreenMarket presents The Strawberry Festival on Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 am to noon. There will be a bountiful harvest of fresh local strawberries as well as some delicious, homemade strawberry shortcake with fresh vanilla cream and newly picked strawberries prepared by WPB GreenMarket Chef, John Carlino. Guests can purchase the fresh and delicious strawberry shortcakes for $5 with all proceeds benefiting Hospice of Palm Beach County. The WPB GreenMarket will also be raffling off two roundtrip tickets on JetBlue airlines; guests can register for the tickets in the center of the market.
Hospice of Palm Beach County (HPBC), founded in 1978 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), has cared for nearly 65,000 patients and their families and averages 1,050 patients daily throughout Palm Beach County. A leading provider of hospice care, HPBC serves as a model for other programs nationwide. HPBC’s mission is to provide premier healthcare services to people nearing the end of life. Services are designed to enhance quality of life by focusing on the specific individual needs of both patients and families. For more information about HPBC, please call (561) 227-5140 or visit www.hpbc.com.
The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is the area’s original and most popular green market. Each Saturday over 60 vendors offer a variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables, tropical and native plants, fresh-cut flowers, artisan foods, and much more from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in Downtown West Palm Beach. Guests can also sit and enjoy their made-to-order breakfast or lunch at the GreenMarket Café. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is dog-friendly and offers free parking in the Banyan Street Garage until 2:00 pm. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office – Division of Community Events and is sponsored by The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beach Daily News, WIRK 107.9 fm and Sunny 104.3 fm. For more information about the West Palm Beach GreenMarket, please call 561-822-1515.