Largo approves $28.3 million plan for deep injection wells after debate over safety and reuse

The Largo City Commission on June 3 voted 6-1 to authorize pursuing up to $28,286,000 in State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing to construct two deep injection wells and two monitoring stations to stop the city’s treated-wastewater surface discharge and comply with a statewide 2001 requirement to eliminate such discharges.

The measure, recorded as Resolution No. 24-26, was approved after an extended discussion about technical risks, costs and long-term reuse options. Commissioners and members of the public pressed staff for details about monitoring, failure rates of injection wells elsewhere, and the potential to convert treated effluent to potable water in partnership with Tampa Bay Water Authority.

City staff said the project is planned to begin in 2026 and that the $28.286 million figure is the loan request amount, not a final contract total. The city will draw down SRF disbursements as needed; each disbursement will carry its own interest rate and the overall rate will be set at project close. Staff estimated the loan rate will approximate the SRF rate quoted in planning documents (about 1.19 percent at the time of the agenda). Bids for the well installation portion came in several million dollars under the initial budget; the well contract alone is about $7 million, staff said.

Commissioner discussion Commissioner Smith pulled the item for discussion and repeatedly questioned the safety and longevity of deep injection wells, asking how many such wells have failed in the last decade and whether experts such as the U.S. Geological Survey should be consulted. City staff responded that standard best-practices for well operation and maintenance (including not over‑pumping) would be followed and that staff are willing to reach out to USGS for technical input.

Vice Mayor Holmes asked whether the treated effluent could be turned into drinking water. A city utilities representative, identified in the meeting as Jerry (Utilities Department staff), said the city already operates at an "advanced wastewater treatment" level and described the effluent as "crystal clear"; he said Tampa Bay Water Authority could add a polishing step such as reverse osmosis to meet potable standards and that the city is seeking to demonstrate to the authority that it can be a low‑cost source of water by 2035.

Environmental and funding context Staff said the project is intended to reduce nutrient loading to Tampa Bay and noted the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) grant that helped plan the work. The presentation cited a potential reduction of up to 19 tons of nitrogen going into the bay as a result of the project. The city also has a smaller TBEP grant (approximately $454,000) and has already installed a 5,000,000‑gallon equalization tank to increase surge capacity at the wastewater plant.

What the approval does and next steps The Commission’s vote authorizes the city to pursue SRF financing and proceed to the contract‑award stage; staff said they will bring specific construction contracts back for individual Commission approval as bids and scopes are finalized. Staff also said the city does not have to draw the full loan amount at once and will reconcile final costs when construction is complete.

Action recorded Resolution No. 24-26: approved (6 yes, 1 no). The motion was recorded in the June 3 meeting; the record does not show individual member votes by name in the public transcript.

Ending Staff said they will pursue technical outreach, continue to refine cost estimates as bid packages complete and return with contract approvals and reconciled costs during project implementation.