Fort Lauderdale has known for years its sewage system was getting old and in need of significant repairs. A 2017 consultant’s study confirmed that, stating the city needed $1.4 billion in improvements over the next 20 years to catch up with past neglect of its water and wastewater systems. Last year, commissioners approved a $200 million bond, knowing the city could not make, nor afford to do, all the fixes at once.