Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and local officials came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The project is funded through a $12.4 million loan through the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and a $4 million legislative appropriation grant. Jones Edmunds serves as the Engineer of Record for this project, and Wharton-Smith serves as the Contractor for this project.
“We are pleased to provide funding assistance for this advanced wastewater treatment and reclaimed water project,” said Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy secretary for ecosystems restoration. “Projects like this help improve water quality and protect Florida’s most important natural resources.”
The combined $16.4 million in funding assistance will be used to construct the new Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The new facility will provide advanced wastewater treatment to reduce nitrogen loading to the Chassahowitzka Springs and River, and will have double the treatment capacity of the former Sugarmill Woods plant.
The newly expanded and upgraded facility will provide future service to more than 5,000 homes currently on septic tanks and will replace an existing sprayfield with a rapid infiltration basin system. Additionally, the new facility will produce high-quality reclaimed water for irrigation of public access areas, which will further reduce nitrogen loading and reduce the need for groundwater withdrawals.
“We thank DEP for helping fund this important project,” said Scott E. Carnahan, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners chairman. “The Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility will be a big part of improving water quality for our residents, visitors and wildlife.”
“We are glad to partner with DEP for projects that will benefit our area springs and rivers,” said Brian Armstrong, Southwest Florida Water Management District executive director. “State agencies working together toward a better environment is a win-win for everyone.”
The CWSRF Program has awarded approximately $1.1 billion in funding for nearly 120 wastewater and stormwater improvement projects during the past five years, and a total of $4 billion in loan funds since its inception in 1989. The program is funded by federal grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings. For more information, visit DEP’s Water Project Funding webpage.