Ahead of the Storm Water Curve:
Dr. Poonam Kalkat of West Palm Beach Public Utilities
FLORIDA WEST PALM BEACH
Kris Polly: Please provide some background on your utility. Dr. Poonam Kalkat: Ours is an older water system. The city bought the system from the Flagler Water Company in 1950s. Henry Flagler came to Florida to build railroads to increase tourism, and the Florida East Coast Hotel Company built and operated a water plant at Clear Lake in 1901. In 1909, the water plant became part of Mr. Flagler's West Palm Beach Water Company.
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That being said, the city has the largest aquifer storage reservoir in the world, which we use to supplement our water supply during times of need. Water from Clear Lake is pumped into the aquifer during times of plenty, and during the dry season, we can withdraw water to supplement the existing surface water sources. Keep in mind, however, that we are one of the few municipalities in South Florida that does not use groundwater. Ours is a surface water–driven system. Kris Polly: How long have you been with West Palm Beach Public Utilities? Dr. Poonam Kalkat: I started working with the city in 2008 in the water and wastewater laboratory services division. I rose through the ranks to manage the lab. I transitioned into managing the water treatment plant and MUNICIPAL WATER LEADER
PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST PALM BEACH PUBLIC UTILITIES.
West Palm Beach, Florida, is rethinking storm water. The city has undertaken a storm water master planning process to better integrate its management of storm water into its other water services. The city hopes to see tangible results for its residents: flood-related capital improvements, reduced flood insurance premiums, and increased its surface water supplies. While West Palm Beach Public Utilities operates its storm water system for its residents, the utility is integral to the provision of water and wastewater services to a number of communities in South Florida. In addition to its own 110,000 residents, West Palm Beach Public Utilities provides water services to the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. In addition, the utility operates a regional sewage treatment plant on behalf of four other municipalities. Dr. Poonam Kalkat, director of public utilities for the city of West Palm Beach, is leading the master planning process and efforts to implement its recommendations. Dr. Kalkat has a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Municipal Water Leader’s editor-in-chief, Kris Polly, sat down with Dr. Kalkat to discuss the utility’s data-driven, progressive plan for saving citizens money and preparing for the future.
