Page 8 - Jupiter Spotight - July '22

Page 8, Jupiter Spotlight
Commissioner’s Update

Water Utilities – An Industry disinfected at the Southern Region Water Reclamation Among the greatest benefits of the county’s Reclaimed
Facility in suburban Boynton Beach, and is safe for irrigation.
Water Program is the ability to irrigate, while conserving
Leader The treatment process eliminates harmful substances, our fresh drinking water supplies. Reclaimed water is less
but leaves traces of nitrogen and phosphorous that act as expensive than drinking water, it helps lawns, parks, and
By Commissioner Maria fertilizers on lawns and landscapes. WUD distributes the golf courses stay green, it is not subject to water restrictions
Marino reclaimed water through purple pipes that are completely for irrigation, and it helps to recharge ground water aquifers.
As a large urban county, separate from the drinking water distribution system. The South Florida Water Management District strongly
Palm Beach County faces Additionally, the captured gases produce electricity. supports the Reclaimed Water Program, and has urged
challenges on a very broad One million gallons of reclaimed water per day goes to local governments to increase the portion of water supplies
scale, which include growth the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a constructed wetland on Jog derived from alternative sources, in order to comply with
management, affordable Road in Delray Beach. Green Cay Wetlands is the second consumptive use permit regulations.
housing, homelessness, wetland constructed by WUD, and is about 100 acres in size, As a leader in the water utility industry, WUD is meeting
transportation and accepting two to three million gallons per day of reclaimed the challenges of providing an abundant supply of fresh,
infrastructure funding. The water. These beautiful wetlands create a valuable wildlife high-quality drinking water for the future, and setting an
county’s 39 municipalities habitat, where the public can observe more than 150 species example for other communities.
rely on our planning, policies of birds as well as alligators, rabbits, turtles, otters, foxes As always, if I can assist you, please contact me at (561)
and codes to help guide future development, enhance public and others. Members of the public can walk, bird watch, 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.
safety, protect environmental resources, and provide access and photograph on the extensive boardwalk system, which
to programs, facilities, and services. features interpretive signs about the habitat.
Palm Beach County strives to meet the needs of
residents and businesses efficiently and economically, while
staying ahead of the curve with innovative approaches to Support Groups At La Posada
maintaining the highest standards, and we take pride in
providing public services. The Water Utilities Department
Water Utilities operates 24 hours a day, seven days a Address Mental And Emotional
(WUD) is a prime example of this approach.

week, and provides drinking water and wastewater services
the county and the western reaches of District 1. Now 52 Needs Of Senior Residents
to nearly 600,000 customers in the unincorporated areas of
years old, it is the largest water utility in Palm Beach County,
and the third largest in Florida. WUD – an enterprise fund Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conversation
– is self-supporting through the collection of user fees, and surrounding mental health and emotional wellness has evolved to
is not reliant upon ad valorem dollars. They are one of the address the increased need for resources to combat this issue. While
the conversation around mental health has increased drastically,
few utilities in the nation to receive AAA bond ratings from many seniors are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. As one
Standard & Poor’s and Fitch rating services. of the largest demographics in the U.S., seniors are an increasingly
Their utilization of the most up-to-date technologies has important component to the challenges of mental health, yet they
resulted in high-quality drinking water, and the treatment are frequently left out of the discussion.
However, La Posada, a senior living community located in the
of wastewater exceeding federal and state pretreatment heart of Palm Beach Gardens, is looking to change the conversation
guidelines. This level of excellence has earned WUD about mental health for seniors. With feelings of isolation and
numerous awards. Most recently, WUD received the honor anxiety exacerbated by the pandemic, more seniors than ever
of being the first water utility in North America certified are reporting struggling with their mental and emotional health.
by the International Organization for Standardization for To confront this issue, La Posada has developed several men’s
its continued commitment to managing public assets in and women’s groups within the community that aim to provide
comfort, guidance and social connection for any resident who
accordance with the highest industry standards. At the needs additional support. “Obtaining and maintaining friendships as an older adult is vital
2021 Florida Water Environmental Association convention, As a Kisco senior living community, La Posada encourages their to overall quality of life,” says Rick Minichino, director of wellness
WUD earned three awards for pretreatment program residents to master the Art of Living Well, a lifestyle philosophy at La Posada. “Especially during periods of time where seniors are
feeling isolated, these topics are important to discuss to ensure our
practices for dealing with industrial discharges, and for ingrained in daily life within the community through programming residents always have the support they need in their corner.”
maintaining the highest removal of pollutants prior to the and amenities that allow residents to master multiple dimensions of Since these programs have been implemented, more residents
wellness including intellectual stimulation, culture and so much more.
discharge of treated effluent. It is this philosophy that laid the groundwork for the initial than ever are facilitating and developing friendships and their own
Environmental stewardship is a priority for WUD. That implementation of La Posada’s senior support groups. Noel social groups. Residents within the community have bonded closely
is why advancement of the reclaimed water program has Trachtenberg, resident and previous Chair of the Independent within their structured discussions, prompting them to extend those
friendships into attending events and activities within the community
led to Palm Beach County’s role as the leading supplier Living Health Committee at La Posada, first spurred the idea after together, and even forming their own support groups. Additionally,
of reclaimed water in Southeast Florida. Reclaimed water noticing a need for residents within the community to develop the La Posada team is exploring options to make these meetings
deeper social connections and friendships during the height of
is wastewater that has been highly treated, filtered and the pandemic. Although certain restrictions were lifted by the end even more accessible across the community by offering sessions
of 2020, Trachtenberg and the committee recognized that many over Zoom for residents who are unable to attend in person.
residents had continued to self-isolate for months. “At La Posada, we are constantly striving to find new
“We recognized the necessity to form support groups for our ways to enhance our resident’s wellbeing,” says Brad Cadiere,
fellow residents,” says Trachtenberg. “In addition to effects from the executive director at La Posada. “The introduction of this type
pandemic, we realized many residents needed support, especially if of programming is more vital than ever, and we are already able
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing they were recently widowed or had a spouse in memory care.” to observe the lasting, positive impact it is having throughout the
Palm Beach County and is a privately community.”
owned and managed company. In addition to support groups, La Posada provides monthly
Captain’s is committed to providing wellness calendars filled with over 40 activities a week that address
dependable, reliable and professional multiple facets of wellness, including mental, physical, emotional,
ground transportation to and from all social, financial, and more. For example, residents who would like
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 to focus on mental wellness may choose to participate in such
experiences as support groups, social hours, discussion groups,
To reserve your vehicle: and many other activities.
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com “One of the aspects that makes life special at La Posada is our
holistic culture surrounding wellness,” says Minichino. “We are
committed to offering experiences that interest and inspire our
Southern Exposure Technologies residents every day.”

Computer Install/Setup/Repair
(561) 315-0144 La Posada currently facilitates four groups for residents, two
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com women’s groups and two men’s groups, with various levels of
structure for mental and emotional wellness. The Women’s Circles
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install are guided by DeeAnn Vera, a professional who first began working
* Networking, Troubleshooting with the community to bring new and unique classes that allowed
* Instruction residents to explore their creativity. While conducting these classes,
* Hardware/Software Installation Vera took notice of an untapped potential to further connect women
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup within the community on a more intentional level.
* Business Consult/Startup/Move Since the beginning of the women’s circles, Vera has used her
* Website Design/Maintenance background in counseling to guide the group discussions, enabling
the female residents to be social and have fun, all while creating a
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer safe space for them to address topics that affect most seniors, such
and wireless network”! as downsizing, grief, community living, and sense of purpose.
GET S.E.T. GO! Similarly, the men’s groups are directed by Dr. Andrea Stripling,
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES a local clinical psychologist in West Palm Beach. In addition to If you are interested in learning more about life at
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR, designating a space for the male residents to interact and bond, La Posada, join us for a special event in partnership
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH, these groups were created to clear the way for conversations that with Sutter & Nugent on July 19, 2022 at 2:00pm.
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED are not typical among men’s usual social circles. While seniors of During the event, attendees will experience the award-
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR. both sexes experience comparable issues, in general, men usually
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS, have a more difficult time – sharing emotions and discussing more winning amenities and service that make La Posada
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND vulnerable topics. special. Space is limited, so call (561) 475.3386 or
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT! visit mylaposada.com to reserve your seat.
(561) 315-0144
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS! Paid Advertisement