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Ocala approves design amendment for Water Treatment Plant No.2 after cost estimates spike
Summary
Council approved Amendment No. 5 to the Water Treatment Plant No. 2 design contract to change the initial source and evaluate alternatives after construction estimates rose from $72 million to $265 million largely because of membrane filtration costs.
The Ocala City Council on Oct. 7 approved Amendment No. 5 to the professional design services agreement for Water Treatment Plant No. 2 with Kimley‑Horn & Associates, Inc. The amendment narrows the immediate construction scope to produce water from the Upper Florida aquifer and directs staff to evaluate alternative technologies to membrane filtration for treating Lower Florida aquifer water.
Why it matters: The city’s original 90% design estimated construction at roughly $265 million — a dramatic increase from the earlier $72 million estimate. Council approved the design modification to allow an initial, scaled phase that relies on a different source aquifer while staff furthers evaluation of treatment technologies and cost‑saving alternatives.
City Engineer Sean Lanier summarized the staff report: “The estimated construction cost of Water Treatment Plant Number 2 was $72,000,000 when we began the design. At the 90% design, the estimated cost of the construction escalated to $265,000,000. This was mainly due to the cost escalations associated with membrane filtration that would be used to treat the water from the Lower Florida aquifer.” Lanier said the amendment modifies design scope to provide an initial phase producing water from the Upper Florida aquifer and to evaluate an alternative technology to membrane filtration.
Staff recommendation and vote: Staff recommended approval; council moved and seconded the amendment and approved it by roll call (unanimous). Lanier said staff will return with implementation details and answers to technical questions as design work proceeds.
What the amendment does: It redefines the near‑term project deliverable to allow phased construction using the Upper Florida aquifer and scales the evaluation of the more expensive membrane filtration approach for later consideration. The change preserves continued design work while creating an approach intended to reduce immediate construction cost exposure.
Background: The project was conceived to expand the city’s water supply and treatment capacity. The shift reflects significant escalation in project cost estimates tied to membrane filtration equipment and materials; the city cited the escalations during the 90% design review.
Next steps: Staff will evaluate alternative treatment technologies for Lower Florida aquifer water, finalize phased construction documents for the Upper Florida aquifer source and return to council with schedule, final estimated costs and funding options.
