Glades water plant $5 million closer

The 30,000 people living around polluted Lake Okeechobee could not afford to build a water treatment plant when bidders in April said it would cost at least $25 million. They still cannot afford to build the Lake Region Water Treatment Plant now that new bids came in last week $5 million cheaper.

But the savings demonstrate that the county is being prudent in its efforts to provide safe drinking water to Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay and surrounding areas. That should matter to taxpayers -- and, especially, to the South Florida Water Management District.

Palm Beach County water utility officials were forced to tweak the design and other requirements for the plant after state lawmakers agreed to spend just $200,000 -- instead of the requested $2.5 million. Belle Glade also recently refinanced a $9.6 million water and sewer bond, to save $360,000 a year in interest payments. The costs of the water plant are so great -- at least $44 million, including land, wells, pipelines and construction -- that the savings look better than they feel. Would 20 percent off a Lamborgini matter much if you couldn't afford a Yugo?

If the average taxpayer does not recognize the savings, the water district should. It has pledged $5.1 million toward the plant. It also is considering how to spend $60 million -- half of that from the state -- on "alternative water supply programs." The Belle Glade water plant, district spokesman Randy Smith said, is "a primary candidate for funding of this type," but it won't be the only project among the district's 16 counties vying for money when applications close Friday.

The county has been serious about cutting costs. The water district can prove that it is equally committed to building the plant.