Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 Expansion

The City of Winter Haven (City) owns, maintains, and operates a system of potable water, reclaimed water utility, and wastewater facilities. This includes:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant #2, permitted at 1.7 million gallons per day (mgd) annual average daily flow (AADF).

• Wastewater Treatment Plant #3, permitted at 7.5 million gallons per day (mgd) annual average daily flow (AADF).

• (Note that there is no WWTP #1.)

Water Service Area & Facility Locations

WWTP #2

WWTP #3

Existing facilities have been in commission since the 1970s and need substantial upgrades to fulfill the service capacity to the current and growing population in the region.

Consolidation of WWTP#2 and WWTP#3 consists of diverting all the raw wastewater flows from WWTP #2, pumping them through a 16-inch force main to the Master LS #1050 on Cletus Allen Road, then allowing that Master LS to pump the wastewater to be treated at WWTF #3. No major upgrades (e.g., wet well sizing) would be anticipated at the Master LS #1050 to accommodate the projected future flows of this setup. Figure 2-5 presents the conceptual force main alignment.

Construction of a new wastewater treatment facility at the existing WWTP #3 to handle the combined flows from WWTP #2 and #3’s basins, then the existing plants would be decommissioned with the exception of the reclaimed water storage tanks. Given the age of both plants (50 + years), it is challenging to extend the life much further. A fully-functional brand new plant is required to serve the City of Winter Haven’s future demands. The new plant will not only handle the current flow to both WWTP #2 and #3, but also the projected future flows through 2045. This will provide the City with reliable facilities that will be built to the current standards and best serve the needs of the growing population in the area.

Consolidation through 10-inch force main.

There is plenty of space available at the WWTP #3 site to expand the facility to accommodate additional flows from WWTP #2 and those projected due to future growth in the region. WWTP #3’s current site of more than 190 acres in South Winter Haven will serve as the location of the project.

Population and potable water demand for both WWTPs were determined by Geographic Information System (GIS) overlay of the plant service areas shown on Figure 1-1, and the neighborhood-level population and demand projections developed for the WHOW Phase 1 planning effort. The high population projections were applied to be conservative.

The new facility will be expanded to not only handle the current combined flows, but also the projected 2045 future flows of a combined 8.65 mgd AADF for the full wastewater collection service area.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

The Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 project will reuse portions of the existing treatment facility for solids (sludge) handling for the new, expanded facility. Additionally, the future water treatment units will act as part of the aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery systems. The plant will help offset the water supply demands in the future, aligning with Winter Haven’s commitment to the One Water Holistic Approach. This also provides water storage for drought periods to aid with all types of water consumption demands, lake levels, and wetland maintenance.

WATER RESOURCES

This project will have a positive impact on the region’s precious water resources by providing a greater supply of reuse water to the City and its residents, saving valuable potable water. Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 expansion is a vital part of the One Water Master Plan, including restoration of historic wetlands and recharge to the aquifer enhancing sustainable water resources in the City and larger region.

COST, FUNDING & IMPACT TO CUSTOMERS

The Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 project is anticipated to cost $178,000,000. The City is working through a variety of funding options to bring this project to completion. These include:

• Utilizing a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to help support the funding for the construction of the new facility. The City has begun the application process. If approved, the loan would equate to 49% of the total cost of the project. The City would be responsible to repay this over time, which will likely impact customer rates.

• The City is pursuing grant funding opportunities at the federal and state level to fund the remaining 51% of the project costs.

The anticipated annual debt service associated with the WIFIA loan for construction of the new facility is approximately $4.2 million per year starting in 2033. The City’s Wastewater Connection Fees and Sewer User Rates will need to increase to help support construction of the new facility and the annual debt service associated with the WIFIA loan. All grant funding and appropriations to support the project will lessen the financial impact on customers.

RENDERING OF A NEW 12 BGD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

TIMELINE

This project is of urgent need due to rapidly growing population and old age of the current Wastewater Treatment Plants. These key milestones are anticipated:

• Fall 2023: Complete the One Water Complex Master Plan $ 250,000

• Fall 2023 - Spring 2025: Design and Permitting $ 2,000,000

Spring 2025 - Fall 2027: Construction

• Spring 2025: Master Lift Station at WWTP#2 & Force Main $ 18,000,000

• Spring 2026: WWTP#2 Conversion and Decommissioning $ 10,000,000

• Spring 2026: WWTP#3 Expansion $160,000,000