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Lake Placid utility leaders outline 1MGD wastewater plant, grant uses and hookup policy amid cost, capacity debates
Summary
Town staff described a $40 million DEP grant for a new 1 million gallon per day wastewater plant, plans to close and pipe previous plants to the new facility, rising construction costs, and a debate about whether to reserve plant capacity for existing lakefront homes or to sell capacity to developers.
Town staff and the Lake Placid regional utility presented the town’s wastewater project plan and funding history at the May 5 meeting, describing construction of a new 1 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) wastewater treatment plant funded by a $40 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and outlining priorities for use of the plant’s capacity.
The presenter said the original grant application and resolution committed the town to use the money to upgrade treatment (advanced wastewater treatment tied to Basin Management Action Plan, BMAP, requirements), close two smaller plants (Tomoka and a County Road 29 plant) and collect sewer connections around the lakes to reduce septic impact. Staff described significant cost increases: initial plant cost estimates in early studies (roughly $15–$18 million) later rose to about $33 million, a change driven in part by nationwide supply and construction price increases. The grant agreement was amended to preserve the plant construction…
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