Water plant expansion plan sparks debate over costs and capacity

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed plans to expand a wastewater treatment facility from its current capacity of 125,000 gallons per day to potentially 375,000 gallons per day, with a theoretical maximum capacity of one million gallons per day. The expansion is seen as essential for accommodating growth in the Blackstone area, which is projected to have around 2,400 housing units.

Key discussions highlighted the need for significant infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a major pipeline to transport wastewater under Highway 90. This would facilitate the collection of wastewater from the north side of the highway to the treatment plant located on the south side. Additionally, officials emphasized the importance of reusing treated water for irrigation at a nearby golf course, which would help reduce reliance on the Floridian aquifer.

The current treatment facility is designed to handle up to 250,000 gallons per day, but further permitting and design work would be required to accommodate the proposed expansion. Officials estimated that the cost to upgrade the facility to handle 375,000 gallons per day could exceed $6 million, with the total cost for a million-gallon-per-day plant likely to be significantly higher.

Concerns were raised about the county's role in managing water and sewer services, with some officials expressing a preference for not being involved in the water and sewer business due to the associated burdens. The discussions underscored the complexities and financial implications of expanding wastewater infrastructure to support anticipated growth in the region.