Okeechobee Utility Authority outlines multiple sewer and water projects; Glades County development raises ownership questions

John Hayford, executive director of the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), gave the Board of County Commissioners a detailed update on water and wastewater projects across the county and nearby Glades County developments that implicate OUA service areas.

Project status and near‑term steps - Southwest service area (Project 2): Construction of vacuum pump stations is nearing substantial completion; Vacuum Station 4 (south) is expected to complete first, followed by Vacuum Station 5. Once pump stations are certified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the OUA will begin contractor procurement for homeowner connections in groups rather than asking individual homeowners to arrange their own connections. OUA staff said bids will be grouped by neighborhood to simplify contractor procurement for potentially hundreds of connections. - Project 3 (Southwest service area): A portion already constructed; engineer prepared the next segment but an Army Corps permit for a crossing under the levee is holding a portion of the work. Hayford said the Corps permit may be issued by early next year; then the segment can be scheduled for bid and construction. - State Road 78 water main project (phases 1‑3): Phase 2 is under construction with expected completion in the February timeframe; phase 3 design release expected within a month. Staff said the road‑78 projects will serve new development (Okatani, Lakefront Estates) and existing customers. - Treasure Island force main and collection system: OUA still needs easements for a segment of the force main route (force main from the proposed development to Cemetery Road). Hayford said one property owner has verbally agreed but finalization has not occurred; absent an easement the OUA may redesign the route. - Taylor Creek (Vacuum Station 2): Generator replacement project released for construction; the existing generator was purchased in the mid‑1980s and moved in 2005. Replacement expected by 2026.

Glades County development and service‑area questions Hayford summarized an ongoing issue with a Glades County development that lies inside or adjacent to the OUA service area. The development’s community‑development agreement described system ownership differently than OUA’s service‑area interlocal agreement. Hayford said Glades developers have indicated they will operate the wastewater system initially and may retain ownership; the OUA is operating under the expectation it may take ownership of distribution infrastructure, but the parties have not finalized legal responsibilities. Commissioners expressed concern about potential liability falling to the city and county if private ownership later transfers to OUA. Hayford said he would refer the legal documents to the OUA board and its attorney; commissioners asked county staff and the OUA to coordinate and involve outside counsel if necessary to avoid conflicts of interest.

Consumptive‑use and reclaimed water issues Commissioners asked whether transferred consumptive‑use allocations or irrigation demands at a large proposed development would limit water for existing customers. Hayford explained that any new allocation requests will require a new consumptive‑use permit and likely a new or expanded treatment plant; reclaimed water was expected to be used for irrigation after the developer constructed a wastewater treatment plant that meets reclaimed‑water standards. Hayford noted concerns about high chloride levels in some areas that may affect reclaimed‑water suitability.

Funding and future requests The OUA is preparing legislative requests, including a likely ask to transfer ownership of the Cemetery Road wastewater treatment plant from a TIF lease to OUA; the board anticipated asking the commissioners and the City of Okeechobee for concurrence on that legislative request. Hayford said the OUA is seeking state revolving funds and other grants for upcoming construction phases.

Why it matters: these projects affect service availability for existing residents and for hundreds of homes planned in the Southwest service area and Treasure Island. Ownership questions in Glades County could create long‑term liability and operational questions for the OUA and the county.

What's next: Hayford will return with updates, staff will notify commissioners when the Army Corps permit or easement issues advance, and the OUA will prepare legislative coordination for the Cemetery Road wastewater plant transfer.